[ESS] Corday Selden (Rutgers University)

“Do metal isotopes reflect metabolism? An examination of how cells fractionate metal isotopes”

Abstract: Unraveling the history of the Earth system, and the role of microbial life in shaping it, requires a suite of tools robust to the ravages of time. Analysis of the stable isotope distributions of light bioactive elements (like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) have yielded many fundamental insights. Bioactive transition metals, many of which play critical roles in diverse microbial metabolisms, show similar promise, but capitalizing on these tools requires a clearer picture of how cells fractionate their isotopes. This talk will draw from case studies on copper, nickel, and zinc to examine the potential mechanisms which underpin fractionation of critical metals in microbial metabolism, with a focus on the role of metal-protein interactions.

Earth Science Seminar —

Lecture portion of the EAPS graduate-level class 12.571, covering current research in geophysics, geology, geochemistry, and geobiology. All members of the MIT community are welcome to join for presentations by guest speakers, held approximately every two weeks during the term.

Contact: earth-science-seminar-info@mit.edu