By Erwin Boschmann
Dr. Partha Basu, the Chair of the Chemistry Department, this year has received two major grants, one from the NSF, the other from NIH.
His research seeks to understand the functional roles of molybdenum enzymes that are essential for all forms of life. These enzymes are critical in nitrogen, sulfur and arsenic metabolism. These enzymes have a common core called the molybdenum cofactor. The NSF grant targets to understand the mechanism of substrate transformation by Complex Iron Sulfur Molybdoenzyme (CISM) Family through biochemical and biophysical studies on periplasmic nitrate reductase as vehicle. The NIH grant targets to explore factors that are crucial in stabilizing the molybdenum cofactor in the enzyme and to develop methodology for chemical synthesis of this cofactor. Both grants are to support undergraduate and graduate students that are very important to his research program.
In addition, he is the co-author with fellow researchers from Duquesne University on the evolutionary history and relationships for the dimethyl sulfoxide reductase family. The researchers looked at more than 1,500 protein sequences of mononuclear molybdenum enzymes to determine which were the most ancient. Molybdenum is an important element, found in all forms of life.
“This could help inform those who work with arsenic issues especially in places such as Bangladesh, where arsenic-contaminated drinking water leads to increases in cancer and other diseases,” said Basu. He adds that with this research, people should be open to the idea of life on other planets. “These kinds of analyses may provide clues as to how to look for life that does require oxygen to survive.”
Their work is receiving recognition by Nature.com, Scientific Reports.
Congratulations to Dr. Partha Basu.