Current Research

New to Bozeman and new to the Peters Lab, I am an undergrad working on two projects related to hydrogenase. The first is cloning and DNA sequencing the stable hydrogenase enzyme in Lamprobacter modestohalophilus bacteria. I am helping Dr. Anatoli Naumov in this project. The other project involves the ability of the hydrogenase enzyme to detoxify metals such as nickel and copper from its environment. This detoxification results in a "ball" of metal 5nm in diameter in the center of the enzyme. I am using previously prepared nickel balls to catalyze a number of known nickel-catalyzed reactions, namely hydrogenation. The exciting prospect of this project is to eliminate the need for a hydrogen source by capitalizing on the hydrogen producing capabilities of hydrogenase. This is being done under the guidance of Dr. Oleg Zadvorny.