Metal ions in microbiology

Metal ions (including trace nutrient elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) are essential for the function of nearly half of all proteins in biology but they are toxic to all cells if present in excess. We use microbiological, biochemical, and chemical approaches to uncover the fundamental principles for how metal availability influences bacterial physiology, bacteria-bacteria interactions, and bacteria-host interactions. Potential applications of our research include new ways to manipulate metal availability and locations as new antibacterial approaches or new modulators of bacterial ecosystems such as the human microbiome.