Using Spectroscopy to Define Human Formaldehyde Metabolism

The project's first aim is to develop novel complementary analytical methods using NMR and mass spectrometry to quantify formaldehyde from biological samples. These studies rely on the prior validation of reported and novel formaldehyde scavenging reagents, which will be conducted using NMR. The second aim of the project is to determine the substrate specificity and kinetics of human glutathione-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5 or GSNOR). ADH5 is proposed to be the key enzyme modulating formaldehyde levels in human cells but is biochemically under-characterised. These studies necessitate novel 1H NMR time course analyses, which can identify and monitor multiple substrates and products at the same time