Heme copper oxygen reductases (HCOs) are key enzymes for aerobic respiration. As a terminal electron acceptor, HCO catalyzes the sequential transfer of four electrons from reduced cytochromes c on the P-side of the membrane, ...

Nitric oxide reductase (NOR) is a membrane-bound metalloenzyme in the denitrification pathway of many bacteria. NORs are structurally homologous to subunit I of HCOs (heme-copper oxidases); however, the copper site (CuB) ...

Gram negative and positive bacteria have evolved toxins to aid in their ability to colonize host organisms. Some gram-positive bacteria produce exotoxins called superantigens that hyper-stimulate the immune system by ...

Novel oxygen reactivity is observed in our model protein (CuBMb) which reproduces the most essential components of HCO active site. In order to improve this artificial model to inhibit its side reaction with oxygen and ...

Since the discovery of nucleic acid enzymes and aptamers that can perform functional roles other than storing genetic information; a new paradigm in nucleic acid chemistry has been opened. In 1990 the first artificially ...

Metalloproteins are a fascinating class of proteins that function at the heart of several important biological processes including photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen fixation. It is even more amazing, considering ...

This thesis aims at developing novel methods of cost-effective on-site quantitative assays of multiple targets using functional DNA and portable instruments. Such assay methods are important for personal care as well as ...

Metalloproteins play important roles in biological systems since metal-binding sites are found in ~ 1/3 of structurally characterized proteins and in ~ 1/2 of all proteins. Despite progress, the role of these metal-binding ...

Proteins are involved in nearly every process that occurs in living systems, either as a main participant in the process or preforming a supporting role. It is estimated that approximately half of proteins in living systems ...