Transition metals in biochemistry - A joint meeting with the Inorganic Biochemistry Discussion Group to honour Professor Andrew Thomson FRS

University of East Anglia, UK
24 - 26 June 2008

Link: http://www.biochemistry.org/meetings/programme.cfm?Meeting_No=SA071

Metalloproteins show a huge diversity in structure and function. They can perform functions as diverse as: oxygen transport and activation; oxo-atom transfer; electron transfers; radical reactions; hydrolysis, sensing environmental stimuli and signal transduction. Many of the reactions catalysed by metalloproteins have biotechnological applications and many metalloenzymes are of key medical importance. The aim of this meeting is to bring together key experts to discuss recent progress in the metalloprotein area, particularly in the light of post-genomic developments which have lead to the sequences of vast numbers of metalloproteins becoming available. The determination of the structures of metalloproteins is also advancing rapidly; in addition there is a wealth of spectroscopic data available on metalloproteins and this is expanding dramatically. Understanding the structure and function of such metalloproteins requires the interaction of biochemists, chemists and biologists combining a range of methodologies, including spectroscopy, electrochemistry, structural biology, and physiology. This philosophy of integrative science has been championed through the career of Professor Andrew J Thomson, whose work, particularly in terms of spectroscopy, has inspired countless young scientists to pursue this area of research. To celebrate the retirement of Professor Thomson in a manner that looks forward this focused meeting, held to honour his immense contribution to this area of science, will review newly emerging metal centres in proteins and the methodologies for studying them, bringing a multidisciplinary group of scientists together.

Topics to include:
Electron transfer proteins
Metal-gas interactions
Metalloprotein biosynthesis
Oxidases and oxidoreductases
Paramagnetic and vibrational spectroscopies