Metallomics on the Rise

Biometal science is the emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates the metal-related scientific fields. As with Proteomics and Metabolomics, it plays a growing role in the understanding of humans and other biological systems, and integrates the various ‘old’ disciplines as biology, pharmacy, chemistry and medicine.

We interviewed Michael Sperling and asked him: Why Metallomics?

Why Metallomics?
"Better understanding of the role of metals can lead to improved drug design for metallodrugs for chemotherapy, enhanced biocompatibility of metallic implants, improved food and nutritional supplements, avoidance of exposure to toxic species.

Why are metals important?
Metals play a vital role in biological systems as active centres of metalloproteins involved in major processes as photosynthesis, oxygen transport, or as catalysts, like enzymes, in many metabolic reactions such as zinc-containing enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. They are involved in signalling and play a role in conformational changes of DNA. In order to study the function, activity and effects of metals in such systems, Metallomics is essential.

What is Metallomics?
Metallomics is an integrated research field related to biometals and in symbiosis with genomics and proteomics. In metallomics, metalloproteins, metalloenzymes and other metal- containing biomolecules are defined as ‘‘metallomes’’, in a similar manner to genomes in genomics as well as proteomes in proteomics. In the study of metallomics, elucidation of the physiological roles and functions of biomolecules binding with metallic ions in the biological systems should be the most important research target. Metallomics calls for interdisciplinary cooperation of researchers from chemistry, biology, biochemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, pharmacy, medicine, toxicology, agriculture, environmental science.

Why should we go to Munster?
It is an excellent opportunity to meet with a broad range of scientists. We have a very interesting program with many interesting speakers from different disciplines. The range of topics discussed will be much broader. Invited talks will focus on the advancement of analytical techniques by Gary Hieftje, on the role of metals in neurodiseases such als Alzheimer by R.R.Crichton, the design of metallodrugs (B. Keppler), the analysis of clinical biomarkers (M. Montes-Bayon) … to name only some. Then of course we have a large selection of interesting talks from our participants. "