2021 Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Advanced Bioinorganic Chemistry I
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Shigeki Kuwata
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.A465
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
[Summary of the course] Advanced bioinorganic chemistry I and II systematically introduce bioinorganic chemistry. This course, advanced bioinorganic chemistry I, covers fundamental concepts for learning bioinorganic chemistry as well as biological transportation and electron transfer.
[Aim of the course] Bioinorganic chemistry, which describes the biological roles of metal ions, is a rapidly growing research area. After providing an overview of bioinorganic chemistry, this course introduces the interplay of metal ions and biological ligands by taking rigorously regulated substrate transportations and electron transfer as examples. The chemistry of amino acids and nucleic acids as biological ligands and representative analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry are also mentioned briefly.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the roles of bioorganic molecules such as amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
2) Explain the principles and application of representative analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry.
3) Explain the mechanisms of biological transportation of metal ions, oxygen, and electrons.
Keywords
amino acid, protein, nucleic acid, spectroscopy, ion transportation, oxygen transportation, electron transfer
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course first covers the roles of bioorganic molecules and analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry. In the second half of the course, biological transportation of metal ions, oxygen, and electrons. In the last class, final examination is set to assess the students' level of understanding.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Bioorganic molecules relating to bioinorganic chemistry | Explain the nature of proteins and nucleic acids as ligands. |
| Class 2 | Analytical methods in bioinorganic chemistry | Explain the principle and application of analytical methods. |
| Class 3 | Metal ion transportation | Explain the mechanism of biological ion transportation. |
| Class 4 | Oxygen transportation | Explain the mechanism of biological oxygen transportation. |
| Class 5 | Electron transfer | Explain the mechanism of biological electron transfer. |
| Class 6 | Hydrolase | Explain the mechanism of hydrolase. |
| Class 7 | Practice problems to assess the level of understanding and explanation of the answers | Understand the course contents and solve practice problems. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
R. R. Crichton, "Biological Inorganic Chemistry", 2nd Ed., Elsevier B. V.; ISBN: 978-0-4445-3782-9.
S. J. Lippard, J. M. Berg, "Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry", University Science Books; ISBN: 978-0-9357-0272-9.
J. A. Cowan, "Inorganic Biochemistry: An Introduction", 2nd Ed., Wiley-VCH; ISBN: 978-0-4711-8895-7.
I. Bertini, H. B. Gray, E. I. Stiefel, J. S. Valentine, "Biological Inorganic Chemistry. Structure and Reactivity", University Science Books; ISBN: 978-1-8913-8943-2.
Course materials are provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Final examination (70%), level of class participation (30%) which is assessed by quick quizzes and so on.
Related courses
- CAP.A466 ： Advanced Bioinorganic Chemistry II
- CAP.T431 ： Advanced Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis I
- CAP.T432 ： Advanced Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis II
- CAP.A561 ： Advanced Chemistry of Transition Metal Complexes I
- CAP.A562 ： Advanced Chemistry of Transition Metal Complexes II
Prerequisites
Students must have completed the 200- and 300-level basic courses offered by the Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering or have equivalent knowledge.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
skuwata[at]apc.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.