Metals are employed by all types of organisms to perform a remarkable array of functions that are critical for life. They are found at the heart of sophisticated molecular machines where they mediate processes that include: energy storage, regulation and processing of DNA and RNA, biosynthesis of complex molecules, environmental and metabolic detoxification, and signaling events that trigger or terminate important reactions. Reaching a satisfying understanding of the mechanisms by which metals carry out these functions requires the coordinated application of many approaches and experts from many disciplines. The Metals in Biology Gordon Conference (MIB) is one of the longest-running in the GRC family. It presents a forum for in-depth discussions that attracts leading researchers with skills that extend from physics and chemistry through biochemistry, biology and medicine. Fostering new collaborations and friendships among diverse scientists with complementary skills and goals is a hallmark of this conference. In addition wide-ranging lectures, poster sessions are held to facilitate discussions in an open atmosphere.

The Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) in Bioinorganic Chemistry is closely associated with the MIB. This meeting typically draws graduate and postdoctoral students from a diverse array of laboratories studying metals in biology. It overlaps with MIB for one oral and one poster session to allow students to meet and interact with established scientists in their areas of research. We specifically encourage graduate students and postdocs to take advantage of these unique educational opportunities and to participate in either the MIB conference or the Bioinorganic Chemistry GRS.

Typical talks and posters include: Biological and biophysical characterization of new metal containing proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, factors, and chelators from all forms of life; Synthesis and reaction chemistry of biomimetic compounds; Novel crystal and NMR structures of biological molecules and synthetic metal-chelates; Discussions of the roles that metals play in medicine and maintenance of the environment; Metal homeostasis; Application of theory and computations to the structure and mechanism of metal-containing biological systems; and Novel applications of spectroscopy to metals in biological systems.

William Tolman will chair the 2011 conference and Michael Maroney will chair the 2012 conference.