[Summary of the course] Advanced bioinorganic chemistry I and II systematically introduce bioinorganic chemistry. This course, advanced bioinorganic chemistry I, covers fundamental concepts for learning bioinorganic chemistry as well as biological transportation and electron transfer.
[Aim of the course] Bioinorganic chemistry, which describes the biological roles of metal ions, is a rapidly growing research area. After providing an overview of bioinorganic chemistry, this course introduces the interplay of metal ions and biological ligands by taking rigorously regulated substrate transportations and electron transfer as examples. The chemistry of amino acids and nucleic acids as biological ligands and representative analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry are also mentioned briefly.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the roles of bioorganic molecules such as amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
2) Explain the principles and application of representative analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry.
3) Explain the mechanisms of biological transportation of metal ions, oxygen, and electrons.
amino acid, protein, nucleic acid, spectroscopy, ion transportation, oxygen transportation, electron transfer
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This course first covers the roles of bioorganic molecules and analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry. In the second half of the course, biological transportation of metal ions, oxygen, and electrons. In the last class, final examination is set to assess the students' level of understanding.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Bioorganic molecules relating to bioinorganic chemistry (1): amino acids and proteins | Explain the nature of proteins as ligands. |
Class 2 | Bioorganic molecules relating to bioinorganic chemistry (2): nucleic acids and cofactors | Explain the nature of nucleic acids as ligands. |
Class 3 | Analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry | Explain the principle and application of analytical methods. |
Class 4 | Metal ion transportation | Explain the mechanism of biological ion transportation. |
Class 5 | Oxygen transportation | Explain the mechanism of biological oxygen transportation. |
Class 6 | Electron transfer | Explain the mechanism of biological electron transfer. |
Class 7 | Hydrolase | Explain the mechanism of hydrolase. |
Class 8 | Practice problems to assess the level of understanding and explanation of the answers | Understand the course contents and solve practice problems. |
None required.
R. R. Crichton, "Biological Inorganic Chemistry", 2nd Ed., Elsevier B. V.; ISBN: 978-0-4445-3782-9.
S. J. Lippard, J. M. Berg, "Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry", University Science Books; ISBN: 978-0-9357-0272-9.
J. A. Cowan, "Inorganic Biochemistry: An Introduction", 2nd Ed., Wiley-VCH; ISBN: 978-0-4711-8895-7.
I. Bertini, H. B. Gray, E. I. Stiefel, J. S. Valentine, "Biological Inorganic Chemistry. Structure and Reactivity", University Science Books; ISBN: 978-1-8913-8943-2.
Course materials are provided during class.
Final examination (70%), level of class participation (30%) which is assessed by quick quizzes and so on.
Students must have completed the 200- and 300-level basic courses offered by the Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering or have equivalent knowledge.
skuwata[at]apc.titech.ac.jp
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.