MIT chemist studies enzymes to improve carbon capture

MIT chemist Dan Suess is exploring ancient chemical reactions to develop new methods for capturing carbon from the atmosphere and creating alternatives to fossil fuels. His research focuses on metalloprotein enzymes that have played a crucial role in life’s evolution. Early life forms used these enzymes to transfer electrons, helping build carbon and nitrogen compounds. Suess believes that by studying these ancient processes, we can find sustainable ways to produce energy without relying solely on fossil fuels. He emphasizes the need for society to rethink its energy sources. Suess has a background in both chemistry and English, which he developed during his time at Williams College. His interest in chemistry deepened in college and carried through to his graduate studies at MIT. He also worked with a professor at Caltech, focusing on inorganic molecules. During a postdoctoral position in California, Suess shifted his focus to metalloproteins. These proteins contain metals that assist in important reactions, such as those involving hydrogen production. Understanding these reactions is vital for advancing cellular metabolism and energy processes. Since joining the MIT faculty in 2017, Suess has continued investigating how metalloproteins drive both ancient and modern reactions. His research could have significant implications for reducing greenhouse gases and enhancing fertilizer production, which currently has a high energy cost. Suess's lab adopts two main approaches: creating simplified synthetic versions of proteins to make them easier to study and modifying natural proteins to analyze their structures using specialized techniques. By understanding these biochemical processes, researchers hope to develop more efficient ways to tackle climate change.