EAPS

The Hard (and Soft Metal) Decisions in Life
Mak Saito
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Wednesday, January 8th at 3pm - 4pm followed by Q&A 

The chemical conditions on Earth have varied considerably throughout Earth history. As a result, life and the biogeochemical cycles that define Earth’s unique life sustaining capabilities have been inextricably connected, or have “co-evolved”, if such a term can be applied to biogeochemistry. Trace quantities of metals are required for all life to survive, but each metal has unique chemical properties that contribute to the ability of metal-containing proteins to carry out evolved functions. Yet the availability of transition metals can be exceedingly scarce in the oceans, and has varied considerably throughout Earth history. In this lecture, I will review the state of understanding regarding the co-evolution of metal use in microbial life across history and discuss some of the surprising challenges modern life faces as a result, as well as describe some of our laboratory’s research on metal use in marine biota in this context.​