
Microbial engines of global change
Right now, redox cycling of the elements is happening on a genuinely global scale. These cycles are driven by the intricate electron-transfer chemistry of microbial organisms. Whether engaging in the molecular construction projects of the carbon, nitrogen or sulfur cycles or simply moving electrons to make a bioenergetic living, these smallest of creatures harness metals as cofactors to cycle and recycle the environment around us continuously.
Our symposia at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting — now called Discover BMB — in Seattle in March will cover several topics relating to the biochemistry and microbiology of elemental cycling, where complex metalloenzymes often are used to achieve startling transformations. Recently elucidated mechanisms, insight into how metallocofactors are harnessed to power the redox reactions of life around us, and surprising insights into the connections between metals, microbes and electrons all will be discussed.
With concerns for sustainability and a new energy economy, the microscopic world of biological chemistry has much to teach us.
Keywords: Metalloenzymes, enzyme mechanisms, microbiology, biochemistry, biogeochemistry.
Who should attend: All who are fascinated by how microorganisms shape the world around us and how the environment, in turn, shapes microbial biochemistry.
Theme song: “Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)” by Marcia Griffiths.
This session is powered by electrons, and so are you.
Speakers
The enzymology of the carbon cycle
Jennifer Dubois (chair), Montana State University
Stephen Ragsdale, University of Michigan
Sean Elliott, Boston University
Cecilia Gomez Martinez, University of California, Berkeley
Kylie Allen, Virginia Tech
Frontiers of the nitrogen cycle
Eric Hegg (chair), Michigan State University
Yilin Hu, University of California, Irvine
Lisa Stein, University of Alberta
Akif Tezcan, University of California, San Diego
Metals, microbes and minerals
Sean Elliott (chair), Boston University
Eric Boyd, Montana State University
Jennifer Dubois, Montana State University
Jeff Gralnick, University of Minnesota
Christine Morrison, Colorado School of Mines
The complete list
Learn about all 11 symposia planned for Discover BMB 2023:- Protein Machines and Disorder
- Regulation of RNA
- Organelles, Mechanisms and Phase Properties of Cellular Quality Control
- Lipid Dynamics and Signals in Membrane and Protein Structure
- Frontiers in Carbohydrate Synthesis and Recognition
- Bias In, Bias Out in Data Science
- Cell Signaling — New Tools and Emerging Concepts
- Education and Professional Development
- Biochemistry of Elemental Cycling
- Advances in Organismal and Cellular Metabolism
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Structural Biology, Drug Design and Systems Biology
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.
Learn moreGet the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in Science
Science highlights or most popular articles

Computational tool helps scientists create novel bug sprays
Rapid discovery of mosquito repellent compounds is enabled through a novel screening platform that combines both computational modeling and functional screening.

Meet Lan Huang
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics associate editor uses crosslinking mass spec to study protein–protein interactions to find novel therapeutics.

Influenza gets help from gum disease bacteria
Scientists discover that a protease from Porphyromonas gingivalis enhances viral spread. Read more about this recent Journal of Biological Chemistry paper.

How bacteria fight back against promising antimicrobial peptide
Researchers find a mutation in E. coli that reduces its susceptibility to a potential novel antibiotic. Read more about this recent Journal of Biological Chemistry paper.

New clues reveal how cells respond to stress
Redox signaling protein may help regulate inflammasome and innate immune activation. Read more about this recent Journal of Biological Chemistry paper.

Innovative platform empowers scientists to transform venoms into therapeutics
Scientists combine phage display and a “metavenome” library to discover new drugs that bind clinically relevant human cell receptors. Read about this recent Molecular & Cellular Proteomics paper.