Real-Time PCR to Study Metal-Regulated Gene Expression

在我们多伦多大学化学系的实验室里，我们正在研究细胞内金属动态平衡途径中的蛋白质，重点是镍。特别是，我们感兴趣的是金属反应的转录调控，以及这些重要但潜在有害的金属如何在不造成细胞损害的情况下被结合到酶活性部位。这一知识在针对病原微生物独特的金属需求的抗菌剂设计中具有应用价值。其他医疗用途包括预防和治疗因接触有毒金属而引起的疾病，如癌症，以及与金属动态平衡有关的疾病。此外，有毒重金属在环境中的传播越来越广，这促使人们将植物和微生物作为生物传感器和生物修复技术使用。

In our lab in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto we are studying proteins from intracellular metal homeostasis pathways, with a focus on nickel. In particular, we are interested in the metal-responsive regulation of transcription and how these essential yet potentially harmful metals are incorporated into enzyme active sites without causing cellular damage. This knowledge has applications in the design of antibacterial agents that target the unique metal requirements of pathogenic microorganisms. Other medical uses include the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by exposure to toxic metals, such as cancer, as well as diseases related to metal homeostasis. Furthermore, the increasing spread of toxic heavy metals in the environment provides an incentive to engineer plants and microorganisms to be used as biosensors and in bioremediation.