Metallophores as Mediators for Metal Cycling: Development of Libraries for Metal Ion Buffering and as Redox Carriers as well as Profiling of Metallophores (C05)

• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation ; Analytical Chemistry
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 239748522

This project aims to identify novel metallophores based on recently developed LC/MS analytical techniques and to unravel their multiple functions particularly in nitrogen-fixing and microbial iron-cycling systems. To mimic natural sources of molybdenum, which is an essential cofactor of nitrogenases, we will develop libraries of synthetic chelating agents for this metal. The resulting complexes serve as ¿Mo-buffers¿ to control the availability of molybdenum species in aqueous cultures. To model redox shuttle systems in communities of Fe(II) oxidizers and Fe(III) reducers appropriate ligands as well as metal complexes will be developed.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1127: Chemical Mediators in Complex Biosystems (ChemBioSys)
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Winfried Plass; Dr. Thomas Wichard