Brian M. Hoffman

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Brian M. Hoffman (born August 7, 1941 in Chicago) is an American bioinorganic and physical chemist.

Contents

Career

Hoffman is a graduate of Lane Tech High School in Chicago and then studied chemistry at the University of Chicago receiving a bachelor's degree in 1962 and at Caltech with a PhD in chemistry in 1966 under the direction of Harden M. McConnell. Hoffman was briefly a postdoctoral scholar with Alexander Rich at MIT. In 1967 he started his appointment at Northwestern University, where he has remained throughout his career.

Research and recognition

Using electron-nuclear double-resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy, Hoffman has investigated many enzyme mechanisms. [1] Subject of this work include nitric oxide synthase, cytochrome P450, nickel-iron hydrogenase, and nitrogenase. [2]

In 2012, he received the Joseph Chatt Award, in 2013 the F. A. Cotton Medal. He also received the Bruker Award [3] He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences (2006), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2002) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1983). He was a Sloan Fellow.

Related Research Articles

Nitrogenase Class of enzymes

Nitrogenases are enzymes (EC 1.18.6.1EC 1.19.6.1) that are produced by certain bacteria, such as cyanobacteria (blue-green bacteria). These enzymes are responsible for the reduction of nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). Nitrogenases are the only family of enzymes known to catalyze this reaction, which is a key step in the process of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation is required for all forms of life, with nitrogen being essential for the biosynthesis of molecules (nucleotides, amino acids) that create plants, animals and other organisms. They are encoded by the Nif genes or homologs. They are related to protochlorophyllide reductase.

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References

  1. Hoffman BM (2003). "ENDOR of Metalloenzymes". Accounts of Chemical Research. 36 (7): 522–529. doi:10.1021/ar0202565. PMID   12859213.
  2. Hoffman BM, Lukoyanov D, Dean DR, Seefeldt LC (2013). "Nitrogenase: A Draft Mechanism". Accounts of Chemical Research. 46 (2): 587–595. doi:10.1021/ar300267m. PMC   3578145 . PMID   23289741.
  3. "ESR Spectroscopy Group".