Class Bioinorganic Chemistry

Bioinorganis chemistry study how the metal ions interact with biological molecules and how this interaction changes their properties, applying the principles of coordination chemistry that were acquired before. This will enable a better understanding of the fundamental role of the metal ions in biological systems.

1. Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry. Biogeochemical cycles of the elements.

2. Metal ions and proteins.

2.1 Binding, stability and folding.

2.2 Types of metal cofactors: heme and non-heme iron centers, copper centers.

3. Functions of metal ions.

3.1 Transport and storage.

3.2 Electron transport (respiration and photosynthesis).

3.3 Transport of gases.

3.4 Signaling and gene regulation.

3.5 Catalysis.

4. Metals in medicine.

Resources to methodologies that involve the interpretation of scientific articles related to the areas under study.

Bertini, 1., Gray, H. B., Stiefel, E. 1. & Valentine, J. S. (2006). Biological Inorganic Chemistry Structure and Reactivity. University Science Books. ¿

Crichton, R. (2012). Biological Inorganic Chemistry. Elsevier. - Lippard, S. J. M., Berg. J. (1994). Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry. University Science Books, USA.

Kaim, W., Schwederski, B., Klein, A. (2013). Bioinorganic Chemistry: Inorganic elements in the chemistry of Life. Wiley.

Fraústo da Silva, J. J. R.e Armando L. da Silva, J. (2011). Elementos Químicos e a Vida, IST Press.