Research Interests & Scientific Area

Biochemistry /Molecular Biology / Biological Inorganic / Chemistry / Physical Biochemistry; Spectroscopy (UV/visible, EPR and Mössbauer) / Fast kinetics (Stopped-flow and Rapid-Freeze Quench)

The long term objectives in the last years have been to obtain data to establish a unified mechanism for maxi-ferritins ferroxidation and mineralization processes. A general goal has been to understand how biology uses protein structures to control the reactivity of complex metal centers, to activate molecular oxygen for a variety of catalytic functions. The PI has been particularly focused on the study of the iron oxidation reaction catalyzed by maxi-ferritins (ferrritins and bacterioferritins) from anaerobic organisms. To unveiling cellular detoxification mechanisms is also a major interest. In summary, multiple techniques from the scientific areas above listed are used to understand the chemistry and structure of metals in proteins, their interaction and their role in macromolecular catalysis.
The biologic effect of ionizing radiation in macromolecules, particularly metalloenzymes, has been under study. Also, correlation between radiation effects and metabolites resulting from oxidative stress has been under focus.