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Bird LJ, Leary DH, Hervey J, Compton J, Phillips D, Tender LM, Voigt CA, Glaven SM. Marine Biofilm Engineered to Produce Current in Response to Small Molecules. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1007-1020. [PMID: 36926839 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Engineered electroactive bacteria have potential applications ranging from sensing to biosynthesis. In order to advance the use of engineered electroactive bacteria, it is important to demonstrate functional expression of electron transfer modules in chassis adapted to operationally relevant conditions, such as non-freshwater environments. Here, we use the Shewanella oneidensis electron transfer pathway to induce current production in a marine bacterium, Marinobacter atlanticus, during biofilm growth in artificial seawater. Genetically encoded sensors optimized for use in Escherichia coli were used to control protein expression in planktonic and biofilm attached cells. Significant current production required the addition of menaquinone, which M. atlanticus does not produce, for electron transfer from the inner membrane to the expressed electron transfer pathway. Current through the S. oneidensis pathway in M. atlanticus was observed when inducing molecules were present during biofilm formation. Electron transfer was also reversible, indicating that electron transfer into M. atlanticus could be controlled. These results show that an operationally relevant marine bacterium can be genetically engineered for environmental sensing and response using an electrical signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina J Bird
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States
| | - Dagmar H Leary
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States
| | - Judson Hervey
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States
| | - Jaimee Compton
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States
| | - Daniel Phillips
- Biochemistry Branch, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education/US Army DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland 21005, United States
| | - Leonard M Tender
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Department of Biological Engineering and the Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sarah M Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States
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Bird LJ, Mickol RL, Eddie BJ, Thakur M, Yates MD, Glaven SM. Marinobacter: A case study in bioelectrochemical chassis evaluation. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:494-506. [PMID: 36464922 PMCID: PMC9948230 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The junction of bioelectrochemical systems and synthetic biology opens the door to many potentially groundbreaking technologies. When developing these possibilities, choosing the correct chassis organism can save a great deal of engineering effort and, indeed, can mean the difference between success and failure. Choosing the correct chassis for a specific application requires a knowledge of the metabolic potential of the candidate organisms, as well as a clear delineation of the traits, required in the application. In this review, we will explore the metabolic and electrochemical potential of a single genus, Marinobacter. We will cover its strengths, (salt tolerance, biofilm formation and electrochemical potential) and weaknesses (insufficient characterization of many strains and a less developed toolbox for genetic manipulation) in potential synthetic electromicrobiology applications. In doing so, we will provide a roadmap for choosing a chassis organism for bioelectrochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina J. Bird
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research LaboratoryWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Rebecca L. Mickol
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research LaboratoryWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Brian J. Eddie
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research LaboratoryWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Meghna Thakur
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research LaboratoryWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
- College of Science, George Mason UniversityFairfaxVirginiaUSA
| | - Matthew D. Yates
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research LaboratoryWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Sarah M. Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research LaboratoryWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
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Winkelhorst M, Cabau-Peinado O, Straathof AJ, Jourdin L. Biomass-specific rates as key performance indicators: A nitrogen balancing method for biofilm-based electrochemical conversion. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1096086. [PMID: 36741763 PMCID: PMC9892193 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1096086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) employ microorganisms utilizing solid-state electrodes as either electron sink or electron source, such as in microbial electrosynthesis (MES). METs reaction rate is traditionally normalized to the electrode dimensions or to the electrolyte volume, but should also be normalized to biomass amount present in the system at any given time. In biofilm-based systems, a major challenge is to determine the biomass amount in a non-destructive manner, especially in systems operated in continuous mode and using 3D electrodes. We developed a simple method using a nitrogen balance and optical density to determine the amount of microorganisms in biofilm and in suspension at any given time. For four MES reactors converting CO2 to carboxylates, >99% of the biomass was present as biofilm after 69 days of reactor operation. After a lag phase, the biomass-specific growth rate had increased to 0.12-0.16 days-1. After 100 days of operation, growth became insignificant. Biomass-specific production rates of carboxylates varied between 0.08-0.37 molC molX -1d-1. Using biomass-specific rates, one can more effectively assess the performance of MES, identify its limitations, and compare it to other fermentation technologies.
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Bedendi G, De Moura Torquato LD, Webb S, Cadoux C, Kulkarni A, Sahin S, Maroni P, Milton RD, Grattieri M. Enzymatic and Microbial Electrochemistry: Approaches and Methods. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2022; 2:517-541. [PMID: 36573075 PMCID: PMC9783092 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.2c00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The coupling of enzymes and/or intact bacteria with electrodes has been vastly investigated due to the wide range of existing applications. These span from biomedical and biosensing to energy production purposes and bioelectrosynthesis, whether for theoretical research or pure applied industrial processes. Both enzymes and bacteria offer a potential biotechnological alternative to noble/rare metal-dependent catalytic processes. However, when developing these biohybrid electrochemical systems, it is of the utmost importance to investigate how the approaches utilized to couple biocatalysts and electrodes influence the resulting bioelectrocatalytic response. Accordingly, this tutorial review starts by recalling some basic principles and applications of bioelectrochemistry, presenting the electrode and/or biocatalyst modifications that facilitate the interaction between the biotic and abiotic components of bioelectrochemical systems. Focus is then directed toward the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of enzyme/bacteria-electrode interaction and the insights that they provide. The basic concepts of electrochemical methods widely employed in enzymatic and microbial electrochemistry, such as amperometry and voltammetry, are initially presented to later focus on various complementary methods such as spectroelectrochemistry, fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy, and surface analytical/characterization techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy. The tutorial review is thus aimed at students and graduate students approaching the field of enzymatic and microbial electrochemistry, while also providing a critical and up-to-date reference for senior researchers working in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Bedendi
- Department
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | | | - Sophie Webb
- Department
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- National
Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Cécile Cadoux
- Department
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- National
Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Amogh Kulkarni
- Department
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Selmihan Sahin
- Department
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Plinio Maroni
- Department
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Ross D. Milton
- Department
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- National
Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Grattieri
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
- IPCF-CNR
Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
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Elcik H, Alpatova A, Gonzalez-Gil G, Blankert B, Farhat N, Amin NA, Vrouwenvelder JS, Ghaffour N. Elucidating biofouling over thermal and spatial gradients in seawater membrane distillation in hot climatic conditions. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 223:118983. [PMID: 35988337 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biofouling is a hurdle of seawater desalination that increases water costs and energy consumption. In membrane distillation (MD), biofouling development is complicated due to the temperature effect that adversely affects microbial growth. Given the high relevance of MD to regions with abundant warm seawater, it is essential to explore the biofouling propensity of microbial communities with higher tolerance to elevated temperature conditions. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the spatial and temporal biofilm distribution and associated membrane fouling during direct contact MD (DCMD) of the Red Sea water. We found that structure and composition of the biofilm layer played a significant role in the extent of permeate flux decline, and biofilms that built up at 45°C had lower bacterial concentration but higher extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content as compared to biofilms that formed at 55 °C and 65°C. Pore wetting and bacterial passage to the permeate side were initially observed but slowed down as operating time increased. Intact cells in biofilms dominated over the damaged cells at any tested condition emphasizing the high adaptivity of the Red Sea microbial communities to elevated feed temperatures. A comparison of microbial abundance revealed a difference in bacterial distribution between the feed and biofilm samples. A shift in the biofilm microbial community and colonization of the membrane surface with thermophilic bacteria with the feed temperature increase was observed. The results of this study improve our understanding of biofouling propensity in MD that utilizes temperature-resilient feed waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harun Elcik
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alla Alpatova
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Graciela Gonzalez-Gil
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bastiaan Blankert
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadia Farhat
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najat A Amin
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia; Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noreddine Ghaffour
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia; Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 6900, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia.
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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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7
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Yates MD, Bird LJ, Eddie BJ, Onderko EL, Voigt CA, Glaven SM. Nanoliter scale electrochemistry of natural and engineered electroactive bacteria. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 137:107644. [PMID: 32971484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial extracellular electron transfer (EET) is envisioned for use in applied biotechnologies, necessitating electrochemical characterization of natural and engineered electroactive biofilms under conditions similar to the target application, including small-scale biosensing or biosynthesis platforms, which is often distinct from standard 100 mL-scale stirred-batch bioelectrochemical test platforms used in the laboratory. Here, we adapted an eight chamber, nanoliter volume (500 nL) electrochemical flow cell to grow biofilms of both natural (Biocathode MCL community, Marinobacter atlanticus, and Shewanella oneidensis MR1) or genetically modified (S. oneidensis ΔMtr and S. oneidensis ΔMtr + pLB2) electroactive bacteria on electrodes held at a constant potential. Maximum current density achieved by unmodified strains was similar between the nano- and milliliter-scale reactors. However, S. oneidensis biofilms engineered to activate EET upon exposure to 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) produced current at wild-type levels in the stirred-batch reactor, but not in the nanoliter flow cell. We hypothesize this was due to differences in mass transport of DAPG, naturally-produced soluble redox mediators, and oxygen between the two reactor types. Results presented here demonstrate, for the first time, nanoliter scale chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry of a range of electroactive bacteria in a three-electrode reactor system towards development of miniaturized, and potentially high throughput, bioelectrochemical platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Yates
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Lina J Bird
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Brian J Eddie
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Christopher A Voigt
- Department of Biological Engineering and the Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sarah M Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA.
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