U.S.-Australia Cooperative Research: Stereoselectivity in Metalloprotein Electron Transfer

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This award will support collaborative research between Dr. John R. Pladziewicz of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and Dr. Alan Sargeson at the Australian National University (ANU). This research is to investigate the extent to which electron-transfer reactions of metalloproteins depend on the three-dimensional structure of other reactants. Rates of electron transfer will be compared for metallo- proteins reacting with optical isomers, i.e., molecules which contain the same atoms connected in the same way, but which differ in their three-dimensional structure so that they are non-superimposable mirror images. The results of the project will explain the selectivity exhibited by many biological electron-transfer reactions and advance understanding of stereochemical control of biological electron transfer. The project represents excellent collaboration between the U.S. and Australian researchers.The expertise and equipment for synthesizing certain novel metalloproteins essential to the project are available in the ANU laboratory. This, combined with Dr. Pladziewicz's expertise in metalloprotein electron transfer studies, represents a combination of knowledge and skills for making progress on this chemistry not achievable by either laboratory separately. This is important fundamental work in stereochemical control of metalloprotein electron transfer, as well as having potential for developing biological sensors of molecules such as glucose and urea.