This Research Opportunities for Women Career Advancement Award project is in the general area of inorganic, bioinorganic, and organometallic chemistry and in the associated subfield of protein crystallography. During the sixteen month period beginning 1 September 1989, Professor Mertes will expand her capabilities in bioinorganic chemistry by spending the Spring, 1990 semester in the laboratory of Professor Gregory Petsko at MIT where she will learn the mechanics of protein crystallography and broaden her knowledge of protein chemistry. Subsequently, Professor Mertes will return to her own laboratory at the University of Kansas and bring her new capabilities to bear in her ongoing studies in biomimetic chemistry. This Career Advancement Award will enable Professor Mertes to acquire new, critically important experimental skills that should enhance significantly her research career.
