Required in stage
Optional in stage
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
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External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesBioinorganic Chemistry (B-KUL-G0Y55A)
Vogt Tatjana (coordinator) | Vogt Tatjana | N. | De Azambuja Francisco (substitute) Aims
After taking the course on bioinorganic chemistry the student will have gained insight in:
1. The role of metal ions in biochemistry. Their use in O2 transport, e- transfer, communication, catalysis, transport, storage, … will be discussed.
2. The role of metal ions as diagnostic probes and therapeutic agents.
3. The use of biochemical platforms as mimics for the development of catalyts for a broad range of applications.
The student will have learned the chemical and fysical properties of metal ions responsible for their biochemical action as well as the techniques frequently used in bioinorganic chemistry.
Previous knowledge
A general knowledge on proteins, DNA and RNA as well as the basics of the fysical and chemical properties of metal ions.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
4.5 ects. Bioinorganic Chemistry: Lectures (B-KUL-G0Y55a)
EnglishFormat: Lecture
26 
First termVogt Tatjana | N. | De Azambuja Francisco (substitute) Content
In this course a general overview of the role of metals in biological systems is given. An introduction to the techniques which are frequently used to analyze metaloproteins and interactions between metal ions and complexes with biomolecules will be given. The following aspects are discussed in detail: basic properties of metal ions that influence their biological role, physical methods and spectroscopic techniques used in bioinorganic chemistry, metalloproteins, interaction of metal complexes with nucleic acids, metal ion transport and storage, metal-based probes and diagnostic/therapeutical pharmaceuticals, and biomimetics for catalysis
Overview of the topics:
1. Basic properties of metal ions that influence their biological role (The Hard-Soft-Acid-Base concept, electronic and geometric structures of metal ions, tuning of redox potentials pKa values of coordinated ligand, ligand exchange kinetics)
2. Physical methods and spectroscopic techniques used in bioinorganic chemistry (EPR spectroscopy
NMR spectrocopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, EXAFS spectroscopy, CD and MCD spectroscopy)
3. Metalloproteins (O2 transport, e- transfer, structural role, metalloenzymes, hydrolytic enzymes, e- reduction, rearrangements)
4. Interaction of metal complexes with nucleic acids
5. Metal ion transport and storage
6. Metals in medicine: metal-based probes for medical diagnostic. Therapeutical pharmaceuticals;
7. Biomimetics for catalysis: artificial metaloenzymes
Course material
Book: Concepts and Models in Bioinorganic Chemistry by H-B. Kraatz – N. Metzler-Nolte
Powerpoint presentations
Papers
1.5 ects. Bioinorganic Chemistry: Assignment (B-KUL-G0Y91a)
EnglishFormat: Assignment2 First termVogt Tatjana | N. | De Azambuja Francisco (substitute) Content
The content of the exercises corresponds to that of the course lectures
Course material
Scientific literature
Format: more information
The assignment consists of the writing of a paper on a selected metallo-protein and it should address the structure and the role of the metal centre in the activity and the function of the metallo-protein. The spectroscopic methods used for determining the structure and the function of the metallo-protein should be explained. The metal-containing model systems (functional or structural) that were used to obtain insight into the structure or function of the metallo-protein should be also considered.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Bioinorganic Chemistry (B-KUL-G2Y55a)
Explanation
The final exam takes place in the regular examination period. Exam questions are answered in written form. The assignment will be evaluated based on its cintent and it weighs 8/20 of the total exam. Submission of the assigment is required for admission to the final exam.
Information about retaking exams
No second attempt is offered for the assignment. Only the theoretical part corresponding to the lectures is examined. The scores for the assignment will be retaken in the final examination score.