Bioanorganische

Bioanorganische chemistry, or bioinorganic chemistry in English, is the branch of chemistry that studies the role of metals and inorganic elements in biological systems. It covers how metal ions, inorganic cofactors, and metal centers in proteins influence structure, function, and regulation of biomolecules.

Key topics include metalloenzymes and metalloproteins, metal transport and homeostasis, and inorganic motifs such as iron–sulfur clusters, heme groups, zinc enzymes, copper sites, and molybdenum- or tungsten-containing cofactors. The field seeks to understand catalytic mechanisms and electron transfer processes with inorganic chemistry tools, as well as how organisms maintain essential metal budgets.

Methods include spectroscopic techniques (EPR, Mössbauer, X-ray absorption, NMR), crystallography, electrochemistry, and computational modeling; researchers also build synthetic model complexes to mimic active sites and probe mechanisms.

Applications include development of metal-based therapeutics (for example, platinum-based anticancer drugs), diagnostic imaging agents, and catalysts for industrial processes; environmental and agricultural aspects include metal homeostasis and detoxification, as well as bioremediation.

History and scope: The field emerged from the integration of inorganic chemistry with biochemistry in the mid-20th century, and has grown to include structural biology, enzymology, and materials science. It bridges chemistry with biology, medicine, and environmental science.