CAREER: Understanding the Reactivity of Hydrogen Sulfide with Bio(in)organic Targets

硫化氢（H2S）历来被认为具有臭鸡蛋味，但现在被认为参与了多种重要的生物信号传导过程。然而，H2S发挥这种生物作用的基本化学原理尚不清楚。该项目的重点是使用合成模型配合物来研究H2S的反应性，目的是更好地了解H2S如何与重要的生物靶点发生反应。具体目标包括了解H2S如何与含金属生物分子发生反应，以及富硫化合物如何与H2S释放和储存发生反应。该项目的教育部分侧重于为当地中学生和高中生提供动手实验，同时为大学和研究生提供职业发展指导机会。通过该职业奖，化学部门的生命过程化学项目资助俄勒冈大学的Michael Pluth教授研究H2S与生物无机和生物有机目标相互作用的机制。合成的小分子模型配合物将用于研究H2S与含过渡金属的生物分子反应的机制。平行研究将集中于建立制备小分子过硫化物的新方法，并了解这些化合物如何与生物相关的小分子反应。这两个焦点的共同目标是更深入地了解与h2s介导的生物信号相关的基本化学。该职业奖还支持扩展由Pluth教授共同开发的外展计划，该计划旨在解决由于国家预算削减而减少的当地学生的实验室科学教育问题。该项目将当地的中学生和高中生带到俄勒冈大学参加基于stem的拓展活动，并为高中生、本科生和研究生提供领导和指导的机会。

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is historically recognized for its malodorous rotten-egg smell, but is now accepted to be involved in diverse and important biological signaling processes. The fundamental chemistry by which H2S exerts this biological action, however, remains unclear. This project focuses on using synthetic model complexes to study H2S reactivity, with the goal of providing a greater understanding of how H2S reacts with important biological targets. Specific goals include understanding how H2S reacts with metal-containing biomolecules and how sulfur-rich compounds react in relation to H2S release and storage. The educational component of this project focuses on providing hands-on laboratory-based experiments for local middle and high school students while also providing career-development mentoring opportunities for college and graduate students.With this CAREER Award, the Chemistry of Life Processes Program in the Chemistry Division is funding Professor Michael Pluth from the University of Oregon to investigate the mechanisms by which H2S interacts with bioinorganic and bioorganic targets. Synthetic small-molecule model complexes will be used to investigate the mechanisms by which H2S reacts with transition-metal containing biomolecules. Parallel investigations will focus on establishing new methods of preparing small-molecule persulfides and understanding how these compounds react with biologically-relevant small molecules. Both foci share the goal of providing greater insight into the fundamental chemistry associated with H2S-mediated biological signaling. This CAREER award also supports the expansion of an outreach program co-developed by Professor Pluth that addresses reduced lab-based science education for local students due to state budget cuts. This program brings local middle and high school students to the University of Oregon to participate in STEM-based outreach activities and provides leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.