Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource

Diatoms, unicellular algae that exist almost anywhere there is water, have recently attracted attention as potential thwarters of climate change. Diatoms go through cycles of blooms, where they grow and multiply rapidly near the ocean's surface. Scarcity of a nutrient will trigger the end of a bloom and the algae sink, taking with them large amounts of sequestered carbon from the air to the bottom of the ocean. Because iron is a limiting nutrient in about 30-40% of the world's oceans, some researchers propose that artificially enriching iron in oceans would promote diatom growth and carbon dioxide capture similar to the hypothesized scenario that occurs during glacial periods when iron input into the ocean is higher.

In a similar way to your old pick-up truck rusting in the driveway, your body experiences a continuous battle against the elements. A constant barrage of oxidative stress attacks your cells and their constituent parts, including proteins. Like rust-proof paint on your vehicle, you have defense mechanisms that seek to prevent damage before it starts. But also like your trusty truck, once a weakness in the armor presents itself, it can spread rapidly — and often unnoticed — until you suddenly discover significant damage. Numerous diseases, as well as aging itself, are linked to uncontrolled oxidative processes that lead to irreversible damage and ultimately death. Understanding these oxidative processes may lead toward stopping and possibly even reversing damage.

Metals such as iron, copper, and zinc are critical for brain function, where they serve various roles, such as enzyme cofactors or neurotransmitters. Because the metal atoms can be reactive and cause cell damage, their locations and concentrations are tightly controlled. This control can be lost in some neurodegenerative diseases. Diseases like Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease are either caused by or lead to increased metal in areas of the brain, while others, like Menkes disease, are characterized by decreased concentrations of metals. 

Medications can be rendered ineffective through cells developing multidrug resistance. This is the case in many forms of cancer cells that fail to respond to chemotherapy. The ability of these cells to avoid the effects of drugs can be due to the actions of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). This protein sits in the membranes of cells and acts like a pump. It ushers a wide range of potentially harmful molecules from inside the membrane to outside the cell. Unfortunately, it can also mediate the removal of life-saving medications.