DWIS Seminar: Professor Amy Rosenzweig, Northwestern
About the Seminar
Particulate methane monooxygenase structure in situ
Under the mounting threat of climate change, increasing atmospheric methane concentrations are a constant source of concern and debate. Conversion of methane to desirable fuels and chemicals could simultaneously mitigate global warming and meet increasing energy demands. Industrial catalysts that can selectively activate the 105 kcal mol-1 C-H bond in methane require high temperatures and pressures, along with significant capital expenses. The use of biocatalysts produced by methanotrophic bacteria provides an environmentally friendly alternative. The primary biocatalyst in methanotrophic bacteria is the copper-dependent, membrane-bound enzyme particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO). Any use of methanotrophs for biological gas-to-liquids conversion or for bioremediation requires a detailed understanding of pMMO structure and function. Despite extensive research, the molecular details of the pMMO copper active site remain controversial, in part because the enzyme loses activity upon isolation from methanotroph membranes. Thus, it is critical to structurally characterize pMMO in its native cellular environment. Our quest to achieve molecular characterization of pMMO in situ will be discussed.
About the Speaker
Amy Rosenzweig is the Weinberg Family Distinguished Professor of Life Sciences in the Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Chemistry at Northwestern University. She received a B.A. in Chemistry from Amherst College and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Rosenzweig laboratory uses structural, biochemical, and biophysical approaches to attack problems at the forefront of bioinorganic chemistry. Their work has been honored recently by the American Chemical Society Alfred Bader Award in Bioinorganic or Bioorganic Chemistry and the Protein Society Hans Neurath Award. Rosenzweig, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is currently chair of the Department of Molecular Biosciences.