Bioinorganic Chemistry

Coupling of X-ray crystallography with molecular biology, biochemistry, spectroscopy and biophysical methods such as small angle X-ray scattering and deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to understand the chemistry underlying biological mechanisms.

Inorganic and organometallic synthesis and reactivity applied to the design, preparation, isolation and characterization of analogues of bioorganometallic active sites, especially the hydrogen processing enzymes, the hydrogenases.

Design of transition and rare earth metal compounds with conducting and magnetic properties. Applications of supramolecular chemistry of anions and organic radicals in the design of functional materials and drugs. Anticancer properties of photochemically activated metal drug complexes for photodynamic therapy. Metal-metal bonded complexes as solar photochemical and electrochemical catalysts for water and carbon dioxide reduction.

The Fout research program focuses on the synthesis of ligand architectures that can support transition metal complexes capable of mediating unusual transformations for biological, environmental and energy problems. Our main curiosities stem from catalytic, synthetic inorganic, and bioinorganic chemistry. Specifically, the group is interested in using synthesis, reactivity, and detailed mechanistic studies to probe the activation of strong bonds with sustainable catalysts.

Chemistry of Lewis acidic and electrophilic compounds containing main group elements and late transition metals; applications in the area of anion sensing, imaging, catalysis and energy storage. 

Application of theoretical and computational methods to transition-metal reactions, especially those related to amyloid formation and enzymes, such as hydrogenases; to energy production and conversion, such as methane activation and water splitting; and to catalysis, especially involving non-innocent ligands.

Bioinorganic, biophysical, and bioanalytical chemistry of transition metal trafficking and regulation in yeast cells and vertebrate animals, with an emphasis on iron metabolism. Spectroscopic methods such as Mössbauer and EPR spectroscopies are used, as is liquid chromatography in conjunction with ICP-MS.

Chemical biology of enzyme-catalyzed reactions with an emphasis on the design and evolution of novel enzymes for the detection and destruction of organophosphate nerve agents, and the discovery of new enzymes for the metabolism of carbohydrates. 

Protein structure/dynamics focusing on metalloproteins and membrane proteins, effects of hydration on peptide/protein conformational preferences, and development of ion mobility-mass spectrometry for studies of peptide/protein/protein complex structure/dynamics.

Inorganic and materials chemistry, focusing on design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) applied to energy-related research (e.g., CO2 capture, H2 storage), catalysis, and biomedical applications.