The metal is invariably an important structural constituent of the protein, and it is essential for function in the proteins where it serves a catalytic role. Metals and metal cofactors are found in every cellular compartment and they function in diverse metabolic pathways. The chemical reactivity, exploited in biology to make desirable catalysts, can cause intracellular damage if it is not controlled.
Metal metabolism is, therefore, subject to tight homeostatic regulation.
My group is addressing basic questions related to metal and metal cofactor metabolism. My program is based on our discoveries relating to the biogenesis of photosynthetic catalysts in chloroplasts. For more information on our projects, chose copper , heme or iron . Positions for Ph.D. students and post-doctoral scholars are available on all projects. From my Group 1996-Present 36.