Bioinorganic Chemistry
Bioinorganic chemistry focuses on the role of metals and metal ions in many biological contexts. Whether it is calcium in cell signaling and muscle contraction or iron for the transport and storage of O2 molecules in the blood, metals are engraved in bioorganic systems in different states and concentrations. In this course, we will first familiarize ourselves with the basics of inorganic chemistry needed for understanding bioinorganic chemistry. We will learn the nature of chemical bonding in bioinorganic systems with the theories and examples associated with them. We will then move toward the biochemistry of molecules - the building blocks of proteins: amino acids, followed by processes of RNA, DNA, and protein synthesis. We will conclude the course with a broad discussion on the role of metals in biological systems and their applications with possibly a few specific examples in detail.