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Metalloenzymes use metal complexes to convert kinetically inert molecular oxygen that we inhale in to an activated form. Activated oxygen can rapidly react with a broad range of substrates. This process is very similar to that occurring in burning fire, except that biological combustion catalyzed by metalloenzymes neither require high temperature to start nor looses much energy as heat, which would be wasteful and damaging in living organism. The central research interest of our group is to understand structural and functional details of catalysis by select metalloenzymes at the submolecular level. See our interests for more details...
We take a comprehensive approach to study metallo(radical) enzymes, which combines a broad and dynamic set of analytical tools with a range of biological and chemical targets. We devote extensive efforts to development of new methods and approaches that enhance our ability to interpret molecular changes and extend limits of mechanistic enzymology. We especially favor new and creative combinations of traditional techniques from across the fields of biology, chemistry, and mathematics. See our methods for more on our tools...
Consistent experimental development over several disciplines would not be possible without close collaborations with experts in those fields. We are delighted to work with several outstanding scientists at the Michigan State University, who generously help us bring together and build upon their expertise:
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