Metabolic pathways: biosynthesis, regulation and application
Metabolism integrates and coordinates all cellular activities, forming a network of intertwined and densely connected pathways. My research programme investigates key metabolic pathways in microbes, their regulatory mechanisms and their application in biomedicine and agriculture.
In this talk, I will focus on the fundamental concepts of biochemistry that explain key microbial processes including cofactor F420 biosynthesis and iron-sulfur cluster metabolism. My first exemplar study reveals the mystery of how F420 is synthesised, identifying novel enzymatic activities and metabolites, and how this led to a completely rewritten biosynthesis pathway in prokaryotes. The second half of my seminar outlines my future research plan with a focus on iron-sulfur clusters – ancient protein cofactors that contribute to diverse biological processes across all domains of life. The oxygen sensitive nature of iron-sulfur clusters makes them exceptionally difficult to work with, leading me to establish a dedicated anaerobic facility to study these proteins.
| Date | Wednesday, 19 June 2019 |
|---|---|
| Time | 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
| Audience | All University |
| Event Category | Health Sciences |
| Event Type |
Seminar |
| Campus | Dunedin |
| Department | Biochemistry |
| Location | Biochemistry Seminar Room 231 |
