The chemistry of life is characterized by a set of oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions far from thermodynamic equilibrium. In this thesis, I examine geological and biological electron transfer systems that would have enabled the existence of self-replicating and energy-transducing organic matter, the origin of life. In chapter 1, I give a brief overview of the topic, which is covered in greater detail in chapters 2,3 and 4. In chapter 2, I demonstrate that photo-induced abiological electron transfer reaction of iron-bearing minerals could have contributed to the oxidation of Earth's atmosphere in the Precambrian and provided reductants for early organisms. In chapter 3, I examine a probable evolutionary pathway of early metalloenzymes. Using bacterial ferredoxins as an example, I show how early protoenzymes, capable of electron transfer reactions, may have evolved from iron-sulfur mineral surfaces. In chapter 4, I reveal structural relationships across metal-binding protein folds that are capable of electron transfer reactions.
Subject (authority = RUETD)
Topic
Chemistry and Chemical Biology
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Rutgers University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = RULIB)
ETD
Identifier
ETD_4538
PhysicalDescription
Form (authority = gmd)
electronic resource
InternetMediaType
application/pdf
InternetMediaType
text/xml
Extent
xi, 113 p. : ill.
Note (type = degree)
Ph.D.
Note (type = bibliography)
Includes bibliographical references
Note (type = vita)
Includes vita
Note (type = statement of responsibility)
by John Dongun Kim
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Oxidation-reduction reaction
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Graduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = local)
rucore19991600001
Location
PhysicalLocation (authority = marcorg); (displayLabel = Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)
Rutgers University. Graduate School - New Brunswick
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Type
License
Name
Author Agreement License
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I hereby grant to the Rutgers University Libraries and to my school the non-exclusive right to archive, reproduce and distribute my thesis or dissertation, in whole or in part, and/or my abstract, in whole or in part, in and from an electronic format, subject to the release date subsequently stipulated in this submittal form and approved by my school. I represent and stipulate that the thesis or dissertation and its abstract are my original work, that they do not infringe or violate any rights of others, and that I make these grants as the sole owner of the rights to my thesis or dissertation and its abstract. I represent that I have obtained written permissions, when necessary, from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis or dissertation and will supply copies of such upon request by my school. I acknowledge that RU ETD and my school will not distribute my thesis or dissertation or its abstract if, in their reasonable judgment, they believe all such rights have not been secured. I acknowledge that I retain ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use all or part of this thesis or dissertation in future works, such as articles or books.