| Experts Workshop on Metal Hydrides in BiologyThe purpose of this meeting is to explore the emerging role of metal-hydrido intermediates at the active sites of enzymes that catalyze particularly demanding reducing reactions, most importantly those involved in hydrogen and ammonia formation and carbon dioxide reduction. Although currently in its infancy, there is already good evidence for reactive metal hydrido species in some hydrogenases and methyl coenzyme M reductase, and we are now in a position to gauge hydridicity, predict how hydridicity is raised by successive electron transfers to the metal, and evaluate the role of hydridicity in determining directional bias, for example, whether hydrogenases will be H2 evolvers or oxidizers. There is now a very strong possibility that reactive metal hydrido species are involved in enzyme reactions that reduce CO2 to CO or formate, and even N2 to NH3 - all reactions in which the long-established organic agents, NADH and reduced flavins, are not effective cofactors. The workshop will be intense and make very efficient use of time; it will bring together experts from organometallic and coordination chemistry, catalysis, spectroscopy and enzymology to share ideas and discuss ways forward. Postdocs and students are welcome. No formal poster session is planned, but some space will be available to display posters if they illustrate points to be raised during Discussion sessions. There is no registration fee, and costs will be kept to a minimum with accommodation and eating places located close to the meeting. Organizers Fraser Armstrong, Oxford Lance Seefeldt, Utah State University |
