Iqbal Hamza

A cell-nonautonomous heme acquisition pathway enables erythroid hemoglobinization under stress https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.10.705195v1

Microbial dl-Peptidases Enable Predator Defense and Facilitate Structure Elucidation of Complex Natural Products Peptidases are indispensable tools in biotechnology and chemical biology. However, the enzyme repertoire for the selective hydrolysis of dl-amide bonds in peptides is small. Here, we describe novel dl...

🧪Bacterial DL-peptidases are key in coordindated predetor defenses AND powerful tools for natural product structure elucidation! 🦠✂️
New JACS paper with @pstallforth.bsky.social
@mlakemeyer.bsky.social @en-hxnu-enment.bsky.social & Hertweck labs
@microverse.bsky.social
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Homeostatic control of energy metabolism by monocyte-derived macrophages | The EMBO Journal imageimageMacrophages play critical roles in the homeostatic control systems that maintain vital parameters within physiological ranges. This study characterizes how mouse monocyte-derived macrophages...

🧵 Thrilled to share our new work in @embojournal! Over a century after Metchnikoff recognized macrophages as central to organismal homeostasis, we reveal how they act as metabolic guardians through an unexpected mechanism.
www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
(1/9)

Bidirectional communication between nucleotide and substrate binding sites in a type IV multidrug ABC transporter Nature Communications - The communication hinge, found in type IV ABC transporters, forms a bidirectional communication between ATP- and substrate-binding sites. This is an unexplored allosteric...

🧪How does an ABC transporter 'know' nucleotides & substrates bound to far apart binding sites? Using 1H15N, 19F NMR, HDX-MS, PET-FCS & activity assays with Neuweiler, Marcoux, Orelle & Jault labs, we found a communication hinge! 😍🥳

@microverse.bsky.social @lifeprofile.bsky.social

rdcu.be/ePm4C

The successful candidate will use a variety of model systems —including mouse, zebrafish, C. elegans, and yeast at the interface of genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry to tackle fundamental questions in nutrient deficiencies, anemia and genetics. (2/2)

The Hamza Lab is seeking a highly motivated senior scientist to join their research program at the University of Maryland in investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of heme/iron homeostasis and its impact on growth and development. Email me directly. (1/2)

🚨 Registration is OPEN & FREE for the 2025 Red Cell Club + East-West Iron Club Meeting!
📍 Oct 27–29, 2025, Baltimore
🩸 Cutting-edge science in erythropoiesis & iron metabolism
🧪 35 oral slots for junior investigators/trainees
📅 Abstract deadline: Sept 12, 2025
🔗 Register now: redironconf.org

A metabolite-based resistance mechanism against malaria Jaundice is a common presentation of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which arises from the accumulation of circulating bilirubin. It is not understood whether it represents an adaptive or maladaptive r...

A metabolite-based resistance mechanism against malaria | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

@gimmfoundation.bsky.social

At #Bioiron impromptu dinner with 26 people at a wonder Persian Restaurant in Montreal with @hosseinardehali.bsky.social @suzcloo.bsky.social @manciaslab.bsky.social @ironresearchlab.bsky.social

Katherine Arnott presenting her @simonsfoundation.org #Pivot Fellowship work in my lab at the Flatiron Institute

We had an amazing time with the ABC family and already miss you all! Can’t wait to hear your exciting talks, have great discussions, and hit the slopes of the Alps again. #ABC2025

See you next time!🗻⛷️🚠🧬🧫🧪💙

With the amazing Piet Borst still going strong at 90 at #ABC2025

Well, Gabby proud of your accomplishments. Those are a lot of colorful ribbons.

The human zinc-binding cysteine proteome A deep mapping of the human zinc-binding cysteine proteome (ZnCPT) defines thousands of zinc-binding protein cysteines across major domains of biology and discovers glutathione reductase as zinc-targe...

An interesting discovery paper identifying >6000 zinc-binding proteins using a method called ZnCPT
The human zinc-binding cysteine proteome: Cell www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...

Originating as the East Coast Iron Club (ECIC) in New York in 1975, the East-West Iron Club (EWIC) is an annual gathering deeply rooted in the exploration of iron biology and translational research and has now evolved into a nationally recognized event.

A brief history of the Red Cell Club - PubMed A brief history of the Red Cell Club

The Red Cell Club was created in 1958 to foster the exchange of published and unpublished data on all aspects of erythrocyte biology, from developmental erythropoiesis to diagnosing and treating inherited and acquired erythrocyte disorders (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11358359/)

I will host the 2025 combined meeting of the Red Cell Club and the East -West Iron Club at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,MD from October 27-29, 2025.
Scientific Chairs:
Patrick Gallagher, MD Nationwide Children's Hospital
Francesca Vinchi, PhD New York Blood Center

Metals in Motion: Understanding Labile Metal Pools in Bacteria Metal ions are essential for all life. In microbial cells, potassium (K+) is the most abundant cation and plays a key role in maintaining osmotic balance. Magnesium (Mg2+) is the dominant divalent cation and is required for nucleic acid structure and as an enzyme cofactor. Microbes typically require the transition metals manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), although the precise set of metal ions needed to sustain life is variable. Intracellular metal pools can be conceptualized as a chemically complex mixture of rapidly exchanging (labile) ions, complemented by those reservoirs that exchange slowly relative to cell metabolism (sequestered). Labile metal pools are buffered by transient interactions with anionic metabolites and macromolecules, with the ribosome playing a major role. Sequestered metal pools include many metalloproteins, cofactors, and storage depots, with some pools redeployed upon metal depletion. Here, I review the size, composition, and dynamics of intracellular metal pools and highlight the major gaps in understanding.

What do we mean by "labile metal pools"?
Their properties depend primarily on the identity of the cation (are are conserved across species).
This review is part of a special issue dedicated to my post-doc mentor Chris Walsh.
#MicroSky

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Nice review John.

As a Biochemist who does Genetics, I first came across this article in the early 2000s (review.ucsc.edu/spring04/bio...). A good laugh to start your new year courtesy of the Sullivan and Kellogg labs at UCSC, who debated the relative merits of genetics and biochemistry many decades ago. Enjoy!

Calling it a night!

On the beautiful Appalachian Trail for an overnight hike with temps around 20F/-6C. Doesn't get any better.

🧪

Very interesting paper, adding lysosomes as an organelle delivering iron to mitochondria to control ferroptosis!

www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5...

Analysis | X is Elon’s world. Threads is a mess. Is Bluesky any better? Is Bluesky any better than X? It certainly seems to be better than Threads.

Nothing but clear blue sky...
wapo.st/4fLVAYb

Here we go. My first post on Bluesky.

Here we go. My first post on Bluesky.