Microbes harvest electrons: Novel process discovered

Science Daily  November 5, 2019
Bacteria don’t have mouths, so they need another way to bring their fuel into their bodies. Researchers at Washington University have shown how a naturally occurring bacteria (a strain of Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1) builds a conduit to accept electrons across its outer membrane. The bacteria rely on an iron-containing helper molecule called a deca-heme cytochrome c. By processing this protein, TIE-1 can form an essential bridge to its electron source. According to the researchers the study will aid in designing a bacterial platform where bacteria can feed on electricity and carbon dioxide to produce value-added compounds such as biofuels…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE

Bacteria illustration (stock image). Credit: © Kateryna_Kon / Adobe Stock

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