Student Hosted Colloquia: Dr. Paul King, NREL
Student Hosted Colloquia: Dr. Paul King, NREL (Host: Gus Braun)
About the Talk
"Functional Studies of Redox Enzymes under Photochemical Activation"
Living organisms are able to convert electrochemical potential into the production of chemical compounds through the activity of reduction-oxidation (redox) enzymes. Redox reactions not only power life but are fundamental to developing catalysts and technologies for the storage of renewable electricity as fuels and chemicals. The fidelities and efficiencies of redox enzymes offer models for determining how structural frameworks tune cofactor reactivity and synchronize proton and electron transfer steps. To help understand these basic principles, we are using light-harvesting compounds to photo-initiate electron transfer and enzyme turnover to identify intermediates for spectroscopic analysis. In combination with conventional approaches, the studies are providing insights into the H2 and N2 activation mechanisms of hydrogenases and nitrogenases. I will present a summary of our recent research and progress.
About the Speaker
Paul King is the Manager of the Physical Biochemistry and Photosynthesis Group in the NREL Biosciences Center and a Fellow in the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Georgia-Athens. His research at NREL focuses on the study of reduction-oxidation (redox) enzymes and complexes that function in catalyzing transformation reactions that are fundamental to biological energy conversion. Biophysical and spectroscopic approaches are being used to understand how electron and proton transfer are coupled to small molecule activation mechanisms. Complementary research investigates photosynthetic molecules and complexes and nanomaterial-enzyme biohybrids to understand the mechanistic principles for converting light energy into reduced chemicals and compounds. His research is supported by the U.S. DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division Programs.