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Valero A, Petrash DA, Kuchenbuch A, Korth B. Enriching electroactive microorganisms from ferruginous lake waters - Mind the sulfate reducers! Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 157:108661. [PMID: 38340618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms are pivotal players in mineral transformation within redox interfaces characterized by pronounced oxygen and dissolved metal gradients. Yet, their systematic cultivation from such environments remains elusive. Here, we conducted an anodic enrichment using anoxic ferruginous waters from a post-mining lake as inoculum. Weak electrogenicity (j = ∼5 µA cm-2) depended on electroactive planktonic cells rather than anodic biofilms, with a preference for formate as electron donor. Addition of yeast extract decreased the lag phase but did not increase current densities. The enriched bacterial community varied depending on the substrate composition but mainly comprised of sulfate- and nitrate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfatomaculum spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp.). A secondary enrichment strategy resulted in different bacterial communities composed of iron-reducing (e.g., Klebsiella spp.) and fermentative bacteria (e.g., Paeniclostridium spp.). Secondary electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results indicate the precipitation of sulfur- and iron-rich organomineral aggregates at the anode surface, presumably impeding current production. Our findings indicate that (i) anoxic waters containing geogenically derived metals can be used to enrich weak electricigens, and (ii) it is necessary to specifically inhibit sulfate reducers. Otherwise, sulfate reducers tend to dominate over EAM during cultivation, which can lead to anode passivation due to biomineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astolfo Valero
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel A Petrash
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
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2
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Ford KC, TerAvest MA. The electron transport chain of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 can operate bidirectionally to enable microbial electrosynthesis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0138723. [PMID: 38117056 PMCID: PMC10807441 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01387-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular electron transfer is a process by which bacterial cells can exchange electrons with a redox-active material located outside of the cell. In Shewanella oneidensis, this process is natively used to facilitate respiration using extracellular electron acceptors such as Fe(III) or an anode. Previously, it was demonstrated that this process can be used to drive the microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) in S. oneidensis exogenously expressing butanediol dehydrogenase (BDH). Electrons taken into the cell from a cathode are used to generate NADH, which in turn is used to reduce acetoin to 2,3-BDO via BDH. However, generating NADH via electron uptake from a cathode is energetically unfavorable, so NADH dehydrogenases couple the reaction to proton motive force. We therefore need to maintain the proton gradient across the membrane to sustain NADH production. This work explores accomplishing this task by bidirectional electron transfer, where electrons provided by the cathode go to both NADH formation and oxygen (O2) reduction by oxidases. We show that oxidases use trace dissolved oxygen in a microaerobic bioelectrical chemical system (BES), and the translocation of protons across the membrane during O2 reduction supports 2,3-BDO generation. Interestingly, this process is inhibited by high levels of dissolved oxygen in this system. In an aerated BES, O2 molecules react with the strong reductant (cathode) to form reactive oxygen species, resulting in cell death.IMPORTANCEMicrobial electrosynthesis (MES) is increasingly employed for the generation of specialty chemicals, such as biofuels, bioplastics, and cancer therapeutics. For these systems to be viable for industrial scale-up, it is important to understand the energetic requirements of the bacteria to mitigate unnecessary costs. This work demonstrates sustained production of an industrially relevant chemical driven by a cathode. Additionally, it optimizes a previously published system by removing any requirement for phototrophic energy, thereby removing the additional cost of providing a light source. We also demonstrate the severe impact of oxygen intrusion into bioelectrochemical systems, offering insight to future researchers aiming to work in an anaerobic environment. These studies provide insight into both the thermodynamics of electrosynthesis and the importance of the bioelectrochemical systems' design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryne C. Ford
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Michaela A. TerAvest
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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3
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Mermans F, Mattelin V, Van den Eeckhoudt R, García-Timermans C, Van Landuyt J, Guo Y, Taurino I, Tavernier F, Kraft M, Khan H, Boon N. Opportunities in optical and electrical single-cell technologies to study microbial ecosystems. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1233705. [PMID: 37692384 PMCID: PMC10486927 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1233705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
New techniques are revolutionizing single-cell research, allowing us to study microbes at unprecedented scales and in unparalleled depth. This review highlights the state-of-the-art technologies in single-cell analysis in microbial ecology applications, with particular attention to both optical tools, i.e., specialized use of flow cytometry and Raman spectroscopy and emerging electrical techniques. The objectives of this review include showcasing the diversity of single-cell optical approaches for studying microbiological phenomena, highlighting successful applications in understanding microbial systems, discussing emerging techniques, and encouraging the combination of established and novel approaches to address research questions. The review aims to answer key questions such as how single-cell approaches have advanced our understanding of individual and interacting cells, how they have been used to study uncultured microbes, which new analysis tools will become widespread, and how they contribute to our knowledge of ecological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Mermans
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Mattelin
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ruben Van den Eeckhoudt
- Micro- and Nanosystems (MNS), Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cristina García-Timermans
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Josefien Van Landuyt
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yuting Guo
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Irene Taurino
- Micro- and Nanosystems (MNS), Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Semiconductor Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Filip Tavernier
- MICAS, Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael Kraft
- Micro- and Nanosystems (MNS), Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Institute of Micro- and Nanoscale Integration (LIMNI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hira Khan
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nico Boon
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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4
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Zhang B, Shi S, Tang R, Qiao C, Yang M, You Z, Shao S, Wu D, Yu H, Zhang J, Cao Y, Li F, Song H. Recent advances in enrichment, isolation, and bio-electrochemical activity evaluation of exoelectrogenic microorganisms. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 66:108175. [PMID: 37187358 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Exoelectrogenic microorganisms (EEMs) catalyzed the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy via extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanisms, which underlay diverse bio-electrochemical systems (BES) applications in clean energy development, environment and health monitoring, wearable/implantable devices powering, and sustainable chemicals production, thereby attracting increasing attentions from academic and industrial communities in the recent decades. However, knowledge of EEMs is still in its infancy as only ~100 EEMs of bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes have been identified, motivating the screening and capture of new EEMs. This review presents a systematic summarization on EEM screening technologies in terms of enrichment, isolation, and bio-electrochemical activity evaluation. We first generalize the distribution characteristics of known EEMs, which provide a basis for EEM screening. Then, we summarize EET mechanisms and the principles underlying various technological approaches to the enrichment, isolation, and bio-electrochemical activity of EEMs, in which a comprehensive analysis of the applicability, accuracy, and efficiency of each technology is reviewed. Finally, we provide a future perspective on EEM screening and bio-electrochemical activity evaluation by focusing on (i) novel EET mechanisms for developing the next-generation EEM screening technologies, and (ii) integration of meta-omics approaches and bioinformatics analyses to explore nonculturable EEMs. This review promotes the development of advanced technologies to capture new EEMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baocai Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Sicheng Shi
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chunxiao Qiao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Meiyi Yang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zixuan You
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shulin Shao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Deguang Wu
- Department of Brewing Engineering, Moutai Institute, Luban Ave, Renhuai 564507, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Huan Yu
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Junqi Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yingxiu Cao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Feng Li
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Hao Song
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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5
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Dzofou Ngoumelah D, Kuchenbuch A, Harnisch F, Kretzschmar J. Combining Geobacter spp. Dominated Biofilms and Anaerobic Digestion Effluents─The Effect of Effluent Composition and Electrode Potential on Biofilm Activity and Stability. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:2584-2594. [PMID: 36731122 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The combination of anaerobic digestion (AD) and microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) offers different opportunities to increase the efficiency and sustainability of AD processes. However, methanogenic archaea and/or particles may partially hinder combining MET and AD processes. Furthermore, it is unclear if the applied anode potential affects the activity and efficiency of electroactive microorganisms in AD-MET combinations as it is described for more controlled experimental conditions. In this study, we confirm that 6-week-old Geobacter spp. dominated biofilms are by far more active and stable in AD-effluents than 3-week-old Geobacter spp. dominated biofilms. Furthermore, we show that the biofilms are twice as active at -0.2 V compared to 0.4 V, even under challenging conditions occurring in AD-MET systems. Paired-end amplicon sequencing at the DNA level using 16S-rRNA and mcrA gene shows that hydrogenotrophic methanogens incorporate into biofilms immersed in AD-effluent without any negative effect on biofilm stability and electrochemical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dzofou Ngoumelah
- Department of Biochemical Conversion, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH (German Biomass Research Centre), Leipzig04347, Saxony, Germany
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig04318, Saxony, Germany
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig04318, Saxony, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig04318, Saxony, Germany
| | - Jörg Kretzschmar
- Department of Biochemical Conversion, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH (German Biomass Research Centre), Leipzig04347, Saxony, Germany
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6
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Miran W, Huang W, Long X, Imamura G, Okamoto A. Multivariate landscapes constructed by Bayesian estimation over five hundred microbial electrochemical time profiles. PATTERNS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 3:100610. [PMID: 36419444 PMCID: PMC9676538 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2022.100610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Data science emerges as a promising approach for studying and optimizing complex multivariable phenomena, such as the interaction between microorganisms and electrodes. However, there have been limited reports on a bioelectrochemical system that can produce a reliable database until date. Herein, we developed a high-throughput platform with low deviation to apply two-dimensional (2D) Bayesian estimation for electrode potential and redox-active additive concentration to optimize microbial current production (I c ). A 96-channel potentiostat represents <10% SD for maximum I c . 576 time-I c profiles were obtained in 120 different electrolyte and potentiostatic conditions with two model electrogenic bacteria, Shewanella and Geobacter. Acquisition functions showed the highest performance per concentration for riboflavin over a wide potential range in Shewanella. The underlying mechanism was validated by electrochemical analysis with mutant strains lacking outer-membrane redox enzymes. We anticipate that the combination of data science and high-throughput electrochemistry will greatly accelerate a breakthrough for bioelectrochemical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waheed Miran
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
- School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Wenyuan Huang
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Xizi Long
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
| | - Gaku Imamura
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Akihiro Okamoto
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
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7
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Szydlowski L, Ehlich J, Szczerbiak P, Shibata N, Goryanin I. Novel species identification and deep functional annotation of electrogenic biofilms, selectively enriched in a microbial fuel cell array. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:951044. [PMID: 36188001 PMCID: PMC9517587 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.951044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, electrogenic microbial communities originating from a single source were multiplied using our custom-made, 96-well-plate-based microbial fuel cell (MFC) array. Developed communities operated under different pH conditions and produced currents up to 19.4 A/m3 (0.6 A/m2) within 2 days of inoculation. Microscopic observations [combined scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)] revealed that some species present in the anodic biofilm adsorbed copper on their surface because of the bioleaching of the printed circuit board (PCB), yielding Cu2 + ions up to 600 mg/L. Beta- diversity indicates taxonomic divergence among all communities, but functional clustering is based on reactor pH. Annotated metagenomes showed the high presence of multicopper oxidases and Cu-resistance genes, as well as genes encoding aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading enzymes, corresponding to PCB bioleaching. Metagenome analysis revealed a high abundance of Dietzia spp., previously characterized in MFCs, which did not grow at pH 4. Binning metagenomes allowed us to identify novel species, one belonging to Actinotalea, not yet associated with electrogenicity and enriched only in the pH 7 anode. Furthermore, we identified 854 unique protein-coding genes in Actinotalea that lacked sequence homology with other metagenomes. The function of some genes was predicted with high accuracy through deep functional residue identification (DeepFRI), with several of these genes potentially related to electrogenic capacity. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using MFC arrays for the enrichment of functional electrogenic microbial consortia and data mining for the comparative analysis of either consortia or their members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Szydlowski
- Biological Systems Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Japan
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- *Correspondence: Lukasz Szydlowski,
| | - Jiri Ehlich
- Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Pawel Szczerbiak
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Noriko Shibata
- Biological Systems Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Japan
| | - Igor Goryanin
- Biological Systems Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Japan
- School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Tianjin, China
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8
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Lin WH, Chen CC, Ou JH, Sheu YT, Hou D, Kao CM. Bioremediation of hexavalent-chromium contaminated groundwater: Microcosm, column, and microbial diversity studies. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 295:133877. [PMID: 35131270 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) have the capability of bioreducing hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] under sulfate-reducing conditions for toxicity reduction. However, a high amount of sulfate addition would cause elevated sulfide production, which could inhibit the growth of SRB and result in reduced Cr(VI) bioreduction efficiency. A slow release reagent, viscous carbon and sulfate-releasing colloidal substrates (VCSRCS), was prepared for a long-lasting carbon and sulfate supplement. In the column study, VCSRCS was injected into the column system to form a VCSRCS biobarrier for Cr(VI) containment and bioreduction. A complete Cr(VI) removal was observed via the adsorption and bioreduction mechanisms in the column with VCSRCS addition. Results from X-ray diffractometer analyses indicate that Cr(OH)3(s) and Cr2O3(s) were detected in precipitates, indicating the occurrence of Cr(VI) reduction followed by Cr(III) precipitation. Results from the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses show that cell deposits carried functional groups, which could adsorb Cr. Addition of VCSRCS caused increased populations of total bacteria and dsrA, which also enhanced Cr(VI) reduction. Microbial diversity results indicate that VCSRCS addition resulted in the growth of Cr(VI)-reducing bacteria including Exiguobacterium, Citrobacter, Aerococcus, and SRB. Results of this study will be helpful in developing an effective and green VCSRCS biobarrier for the bioremediation of Cr(VI)-polluted groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Han Lin
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chien-Cheng Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Hau Ou
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Terng Sheu
- General Education Center, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chih-Ming Kao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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9
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Kuchenbuch A, Frank R, Ramos JV, Jahnke HG, Harnisch F. Electrochemical Microwell Plate to Study Electroactive Microorganisms in Parallel and Real-Time. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:821734. [PMID: 35242754 PMCID: PMC8887713 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.821734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial resource mining of electroactive microorganism (EAM) is currently methodically hampered due to unavailable electrochemical screening tools. Here, we introduce an electrochemical microwell plate (ec-MP) composed of a 96 electrochemical deepwell plate and a recently developed 96-channel multipotentiostat. Using the ec-MP we investigated the electrochemical and metabolic properties of the EAM models Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens with acetate and lactate as electron donor combined with an individual genetic analysis of each well. Electrochemical cultivation of pure cultures achieved maximum current densities (j max) and coulombic efficiencies (CE) that were well in line with literature data. The co-cultivation of S. oneidensis and G. sulfurreducens led to an increased current density of j max of 88.57 ± 14.04 µA cm-2 (lactate) and j max of 99.36 ± 19.12 µA cm-2 (lactate and acetate). Further, a decreased time period of reaching j max and biphasic current production was revealed and the microbial electrochemical performance could be linked to the shift in the relative abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ—Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ronny Frank
- Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - José Vazquez Ramos
- Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heinz-Georg Jahnke
- Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ—Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Leipzig, Germany
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10
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Gil Rosa B, Akingbade OE, Guo X, Gonzalez-Macia L, Crone MA, Cameron LP, Freemont P, Choy KL, Güder F, Yeatman E, Sharp DJ, Li B. Multiplexed immunosensors for point-of-care diagnostic applications. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 203:114050. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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11
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Bird LJ, Kundu BB, Tschirhart T, Corts AD, Su L, Gralnick JA, Ajo-Franklin CM, Glaven SM. Engineering Wired Life: Synthetic Biology for Electroactive Bacteria. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2808-2823. [PMID: 34637280 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Electroactive bacteria produce or consume electrical current by moving electrons to and from extracellular acceptors and donors. This specialized process, known as extracellular electron transfer, relies on pathways composed of redox active proteins and biomolecules and has enabled technologies ranging from harvesting energy on the sea floor, to chemical sensing, to carbon capture. Harnessing and controlling extracellular electron transfer pathways using bioengineering and synthetic biology promises to heighten the limits of established technologies and open doors to new possibilities. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advancements in genetic tools for manipulating native electroactive bacteria to control extracellular electron transfer. After reviewing electron transfer pathways in natively electroactive organisms, we examine lessons learned from the introduction of extracellular electron transfer pathways into Escherichia coli. We conclude by presenting challenges to future efforts and give examples of opportunities to bioengineer microbes for electrochemical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina J. Bird
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Biki B. Kundu
- PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Tanya Tschirhart
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Anna D. Corts
- Joyn Bio, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, United States
| | - Lin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing 210018, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey A. Gralnick
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | | | - Sarah M. Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
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Rowe AR, Salimijazi F, Trutschel L, Sackett J, Adesina O, Anzai I, Kugelmass LH, Baym MH, Barstow B. Identification of a pathway for electron uptake in Shewanella oneidensis. Commun Biol 2021; 4:957. [PMID: 34381156 PMCID: PMC8357807 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02454-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular electron transfer (EET) could enable electron uptake into microbial metabolism for the synthesis of complex, energy dense organic molecules from CO2 and renewable electricity1-6. Theoretically EET could do this with an efficiency comparable to H2-oxidation7,8 but without the need for a volatile intermediate and the problems it causes for scale up9. However, significant gaps remain in understanding the mechanism and genetics of electron uptake. For example, studies of electron uptake in electroactive microbes have shown a role for the Mtr EET complex in the electroactive microbe Shewanella oneidensis MR-110-14, though there is substantial variation in the magnitude of effect deletion of these genes has depending on the terminal electron acceptor used. This speaks to the potential for previously uncharacterized and/or differentially utilized genes involved in electron uptake. To address this, we screened gene disruption mutants for 3667 genes, representing ≈99% of all nonessential genes, from the S. oneidensis whole genome knockout collection using a redox dye oxidation assay. Confirmation of electron uptake using electrochemical testing allowed us to identify five genes from S. oneidensis that are indispensable for electron uptake from a cathode. Knockout of each gene eliminates extracellular electron uptake, yet in four of the five cases produces no significant defect in electron donation to an anode. This result highlights both distinct electron uptake components and an electronic connection between aerobic and anaerobic electron transport chains that allow electrons from the reversible EET machinery to be coupled to different respiratory processes in S. oneidensis. Homologs to these genes across many different genera suggesting that electron uptake by EET coupled to respiration could be widespread. These gene discoveries provide a foundation for: studying this phenotype in exotic metal-oxidizing microbes, genetic optimization of electron uptake in S. oneidensis; and genetically engineering electron uptake into a highly tractable host like E. coli to complement recent advances in synthetic CO2 fixation15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette R Rowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Farshid Salimijazi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Leah Trutschel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joshua Sackett
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Isao Anzai
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Liat H Kugelmass
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Michael H Baym
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Buz Barstow
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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Miran W, Naradasu D, Okamoto A. Pathogens electrogenicity as a tool for in-situ metabolic activity monitoring and drug assessment in biofilms. iScience 2021; 24:102068. [PMID: 33554070 PMCID: PMC7859304 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Concerns regarding increased antibiotic resistance arising from the emergent properties of biofilms have spurred interest in the discovery of novel antibiotic agents and techniques to directly estimate metabolic activity in biofilms. Although a number of methods have been developed to quantify biofilm formation, real-time quantitative assessment of metabolic activity in label-free biofilms remains a challenge. Production of electrical current via extracellular electron transport (EET) has recently been found in pathogens and appears to correlate with their metabolic activity. Accordingly, monitoring the production of electrical currents as an indicator of cellular metabolic activity in biofilms represents a new direction for research aiming to assess and screen the effects of antimicrobials on biofilm activity. In this article, we reviewed EET-capable pathogens and the methods to monitor biofilm activity to discuss advantages of using the capability of pathogens to produce electrical currents and effective combination of these methods. Moreover, we discussed EET mechanisms by pathogenic and environmental bacteria and open questions for the physiological roles of EET in pathogen's biofilm. The present limitations and possible future directions of in situ biofilm metabolic activity assessment for large-scale screening of antimicrobials are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waheed Miran
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
| | - Divya Naradasu
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
| | - Akihiro Okamoto
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
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