The main research interest of the group is biocatalysis, which is how chemical compounds are converted into each other in living systems. In nature, these reactions are catalyzed (promoted) by a kind of proteins called enzymes. The main interest of our group is in studying a subset of enzymes, known as metalloenzymes, because they contain one or more metal atoms. It is estimated that about 10-20% of all enzymes are metalloenzymes. Metalloenzymes are known to catalyze some of the most important reactions in nature, such as photosynthesis and the oxygen-consuming respiration of cells. Our research aims at understanding the catalytic mechanisms of metalloenzymes, e.g. describing exactly how the reaction of one compound to another occurs. The understanding how these processes occur can provide uses in many areas, from the fundamental understanding of nature, to understanding and curing diseases. Also, a fundamental understanding of enzyme catalysis may be used in the future to design completely new catalysts, biochemical or others, which will allow the creation of new chemicals, materials and processes.