Copper is an essential trace metal, but too much can be toxic. Australian researchers are diving down to the molecular level to investigate how copper finds its way into the cells of almost all living organisms. 

Drs Megan Maher (La Trobe University) and David Aragao (Australian Synchrotron) have joined forces with eminent international researcher Professor So Iwata (Imperial College, London) will use synchrotron x-ray crystallography to take an indepth look at Ctr (copper transporter) proteins, a family of proteins that control copper uptake across biological membranes and into the cells of almost all living organisms. The work is funded by the Australian Research Council.

La Trobe University media release

The magic of molybdenum

Megan’s interest in how animal and bacterial cells acquire and use trace metals also encompasses iron, magnesium and molybdenum.

Australian Life Scientist recently published an article about her team’s work in solving the crystal structure of an enzyme called sulfite dehydrogenase (shortened to ‘SorT’) in the act of transferring electrons to its partner in the process of converting toxic sulfite into sulfate. Megan said the work would not have been possible without the Australian Synchrotron.