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Partipilo G, Bowman EK, Palmer EJ, Gao Y, Ridley RS, Alper HS, Keitz BK. Single-Cell Phenotyping of Extracellular Electron Transfer via Microdroplet Encapsulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.13.598847. [PMID: 38915652 PMCID: PMC11195189 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.13.598847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Electroactive organisms contribute to metal cycling, pollutant removal, and other redox-driven environmental processes. Studying this phenomenon in high-throughput is challenging since extracellular reduction cannot easily be traced back to its cell of origin within a mixed population. Here, we describe the development of a microdroplet emulsion system to enrich EET-capable organisms. We validated our system using the model electroactive organism S. oneidensis and describe the tooling of a benchtop microfluidic system for oxygen-limited processes. We demonstrated enrichment of EET-capable phenotypes from a mixed wild-type and EET-knockout population. As a proof-of-concept application, bacteria were collected from iron sedimentation from Town Lake (Austin, TX) and subjected to microdroplet enrichment. We observed an increase in EET-capable organisms in the sorted population that was distinct when compared to a population enriched in a bulk culture more closely akin to traditional techniques for discovering EET-capable bacteria. Finally, two bacterial species, C. sakazakii and V. fessus not previously shown to be electroactive, were further cultured and characterized for their ability to reduce channel conductance in an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) and to reduce soluble Fe(III). We characterized two bacterial species not previously shown to exhibit electrogenic behavior. Our results demonstrate the utility of a microdroplet emulsions for identifying putative EET-capable bacteria and how this technology can be leveraged in tandem with existing methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Partipilo
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712
| | - Emily K. Bowman
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712
| | - Emma J. Palmer
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712
| | - Yang Gao
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712
| | - Rodney S. Ridley
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712
| | - Hal S. Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712
| | - Benjamin K. Keitz
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712
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2
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Klein E, Wurst R, Rehnlund D, Gescher J. Elucidating the development of cooperative anode-biofilm-structures. Biofilm 2024; 7:100193. [PMID: 38601817 PMCID: PMC11004076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical systems are a highly versatile platform technology with a particular focus on the interplay of chemical and electrical energy conversion and offer immense potential for a sustainable bioeconomy. The industrial realization of this potential requires a critical focus on biofilm optimization if performance is to be controlled over a long period of time. Moreover, the aspect and influence of cooperativity has to be addressed as many applied anodic bioelectrochemical systems will most likely be operated with a diversity of interacting microbial species. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze how interspecies dependence and cooperativity of a model community influence the development of anodic biofilms. To investigate biofilm activity in a spatially resolved manner, a microfluidic bioelectrochemical flow cell was developed that can be equipped with user-defined electrode materials and operates under laminar flow conditions. With this infrastructure, the development of single and co-culture biofilms of the two model organisms Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens on graphite electrodes was monitored by optical coherence tomography analysis. The interdependence in the co-culture biofilm was achieved by feeding the community with lactate, which is converted by S. oneidensis into acetate, which in turn serves as substrate for G. sulfurreducens. The results show that co-cultivation resulted in the formation of denser biofilms than in single culture. Moreover, we hypothesize that S. oneidensis in return utilizes the conductive biofilm matrix build by G. sulfurreducens for direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) to the anode. FISH analysis revealed that the biofilms consisted of approximately two-thirds G. sulfurreducens cells, which most likely formed a conductive 3D network throughout the biofilm matrix, in which evenly distributed tubular S. oneidensis colonies were embedded without direct contact to the anode surface. Live/dead staining shows that the outermost biofilm contained almost exclusively dead cells (98 %), layers near the anode contained 45-56 % and the entire biofilm contained 82 % live cells. Our results exemplify how the architecture of the exoelectrogenic biofilm dynamically adapts to the respective process conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Klein
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, University of Technology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - René Wurst
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, University of Technology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Rehnlund
- Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 538, SE-751 21, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, University of Technology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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3
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Dzofou Ngoumelah D, Heggeset TMB, Haugen T, Sulheim S, Wentzel A, Harnisch F, Kretzschmar J. Effect of model methanogens on the electrochemical activity, stability, and microbial community structure of Geobacter spp. dominated biofilm anodes. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2024; 10:17. [PMID: 38443373 PMCID: PMC10915144 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00490-z] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Combining anaerobic digestion (AD) and microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) in AD-MET holds great potential. Methanogens have been identified as one cause of decreased electrochemical activity and deterioration of Geobacter spp. biofilm anodes. A better understanding of the different interactions between methanogenic genera/species and Geobacter spp. biofilms is needed to shed light on the observed reduction in electrochemical activity and stability of Geobacter spp. dominated biofilms as well as observed changes in microbial communities of AD-MET. Here, we have analyzed electrochemical parameters and changes in the microbial community of Geobacter spp. biofilm anodes when exposed to three representative methanogens with different metabolic pathways, i.e., Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanobacterium formicicum, and Methanothrix soehngenii. M. barkeri negatively affected the performance and stability of Geobacter spp. biofilm anodes only in the initial batches. In contrast, M. formicicum did not affect the stability of Geobacter spp. biofilm anodes but caused a decrease in maximum current density of ~37%. M. soehngenii induced a coloration change of Geobacter spp. biofilm anodes and a decrease in the total transferred charge by ~40%. Characterization of biofilm samples after each experiment by 16S rRNA metabarcoding, whole metagenome nanopore sequencing, and shotgun sequencing showed a higher relative abundance of Geobacter spp. after exposure to M. barkeri as opposed to M. formicicum or M. soehngenii, despite the massive biofilm dispersal observed during initial exposure to M. barkeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dzofou Ngoumelah
- DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH (German Biomass Research Centre), Department of Biochemical Conversion, 04347, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Tone Haugen
- SINTEF Industry, Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Snorre Sulheim
- SINTEF Industry, Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexander Wentzel
- SINTEF Industry, Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Microbial Biotechnology, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Kretzschmar
- DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH (German Biomass Research Centre), Department of Biochemical Conversion, 04347, Leipzig, Germany.
- Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, 02763, Zittau, Germany.
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4
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Shi M, Evans CA, McQuillan JL, Noirel J, Pandhal J. LFQRatio: A Normalization Method to Decipher Quantitative Proteome Changes in Microbial Coculture Systems. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:999-1013. [PMID: 38354288 PMCID: PMC10913063 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00714] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The value of synthetic microbial communities in biotechnology is gaining traction due to their ability to undertake more complex metabolic tasks than monocultures. However, a thorough understanding of strain interactions, productivity, and stability is often required to optimize growth and scale up cultivation. Quantitative proteomics can provide valuable insights into how microbial strains adapt to changing conditions in biomanufacturing. However, current workflows and methodologies are not suitable for simple artificial coculture systems where strain ratios are dynamic. Here, we established a workflow for coculture proteomics using an exemplar system containing two members, Azotobacter vinelandii and Synechococcus elongatus. Factors affecting the quantitative accuracy of coculture proteomics were investigated, including peptide physicochemical characteristics such as molecular weight, isoelectric point, hydrophobicity, and dynamic range as well as factors relating to protein identification such as varying proteome size and shared peptides between species. Different quantification methods based on spectral counts and intensity were evaluated at the protein and cell level. We propose a new normalization method, named "LFQRatio", to reflect the relative contributions of two distinct cell types emerging from cell ratio changes during cocultivation. LFQRatio can be applied to real coculture proteomics experiments, providing accurate insights into quantitative proteome changes in each strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxun Shi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
| | - Caroline A Evans
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
| | - Josie L McQuillan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
| | - Josselin Noirel
- GBCM Laboratory (EA7528), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, HESAM Université, 2 rue Conté, Paris 75003, France
| | - Jagroop Pandhal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
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5
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Sun Z, Zhao M, Chen L, Gong Z, Hu J, Ma D. Electrokinetic remediation for the removal of heavy metals in soil: Limitations, solutions and prospection. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:165970. [PMID: 37572906 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrokinetic remediation (EKR) technology is a promising method to remove heavy metals from low permeability soil, because it is environmentally friendly, efficient and economical, and can realize in-situ remediation. In this paper, the basic principles and related physical and chemical phenomena of EKR are systematically summarized, and three limiting problems of EKR technology are put forward: the weak ability of dissolving metals, focusing effect, and energy consumption. There are many methods to solve these technical problems, but there is a lack of systematic summary of the causes of problems and solutions. Based on various enhanced EKR technologies, this paper summarizes the main ideas to solve the limiting problems. The advantages and disadvantages of each technology are compared, which has guiding significance for the development of new technology in the future. This paper also discusses the dissolution of residual heavy metals, which is rare in other articles. The energy consumption of EKR and the remediation effect are equally important, and both can be used as indicators for evaluating the feasibility of new technologies. This paper reviews the influence of various electric field conditions on power consumption, such as renewable energy supply, new electrode materials and electrode configurations, suitable voltage values and functional electrolytes. In addition, a variety of energy consumption calculation methods are also introduced, which are suitable for ohmic heat loss, energy distribution when there is non-target ion competition, and power consumption of specific ions in various metal ions. Researchers can make selective reference according to their actual situations. This paper also systematically introduces the engineering design and cost calculation of EKR, lists the research progress of some engineering cases and pilot-scale tests, analyzes the reasons why it is difficult to apply EKR technology in large-scale engineering at present, and puts forward the future research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeying Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Miaomiao Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhiyang Gong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Junjie Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Degang Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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6
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Chen N, Du N, Shen R, He T, Xi J, Tan J, Bian G, Yang Y, Liu T, Tan W, Yu L, Yuan Q. Redox signaling-driven modulation of microbial biosynthesis and biocatalysis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6800. [PMID: 37884498 PMCID: PMC10603113 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42561-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial communication can drive coordinated functions through sensing, analyzing and processing signal information, playing critical roles in biomanufacturing and life evolution. However, it is still a great challenge to develop effective methods to construct a microbial communication system with coordinated behaviors. Here, we report an electron transfer triggered redox communication network consisting of three building blocks including signal router, optical verifier and bio-actuator for microbial metabolism regulation and coordination. In the redox communication network, the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox signal can be dynamically and reversibly transduced, channeling electrons directly and specifically into bio-actuator cells through iron oxidation pathway. The redox communication network drives gene expression of electron transfer proteins and simultaneously facilitates the critical reducing power regeneration in the bio-actuator, thus enabling regulation of microbial metabolism. In this way, the redox communication system efficiently promotes the biomanufacturing yield and CO2 fixation rate of bio-actuator. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that this redox communication strategy is applicable both in co-culture and microbial consortia. The proposed electron transfer triggered redox communication strategy in this work could provide an approach for reducing power regeneration and metabolic optimization and could offer insights into improving biomanufacturing efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Chen
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Na Du
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Ruichen Shen
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, 410082, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Tianpei He
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Jing Xi
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Jie Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, 410082, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Guangkai Bian
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Yanbing Yang
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Tiangang Liu
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, 410082, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Lilei Yu
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China.
| | - Quan Yuan
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Microelectronics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, P. R. China.
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, 410082, Changsha, P. R. China.
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7
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López-Gálvez J, Schiessl K, Besmer MD, Bruckmann C, Harms H, Müller S. Development of an Automated Online Flow Cytometry Method to Quantify Cell Density and Fingerprint Bacterial Communities. Cells 2023; 12:1559. [PMID: 37371029 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell density is an important factor in all microbiome research, where interactions are of interest. It is also the most important parameter for the operation and control of most biotechnological processes. In the past, cell density determination was often performed offline and manually, resulting in a delay between sampling and immediate data processing, preventing quick action. While there are now some online methods for rapid and automated cell density determination, they are unable to distinguish between the different cell types in bacterial communities. To address this gap, an online automated flow cytometry procedure is proposed for real-time high-resolution analysis of bacterial communities. On the one hand, it allows for the online automated calculation of cell concentrations and, on the other, for the differentiation between different cell subsets of a bacterial community. To achieve this, the OC-300 automation device (onCyt Microbiology, Zürich, Switzerland) was coupled with the flow cytometer CytoFLEX (Beckman Coulter, Brea, USA). The OC-300 performs the automatic sampling, dilution, fixation and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining of a bacterial sample before sending it to the CytoFLEX for measurement. It is demonstrated that this method can reproducibly measure both cell density and fingerprint-like patterns of bacterial communities, generating suitable data for powerful automated data analysis and interpretation pipelines. In particular, the automated, high-resolution partitioning of clustered data into cell subsets opens up the possibility of correlation analysis to identify the operational or abiotic/biotic causes of community disturbances or state changes, which can influence the interaction potential of organisms in microbiomes or even affect the performance of individual organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan López-Gálvez
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Michael D Besmer
- onCyt Microbiology AG, Marchwartstrasse 61, 8038 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Bruckmann
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hauke Harms
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Susann Müller
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
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8
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Edwards EH, Jelušić J, Kosko RM, McClelland KP, Ngarnim SS, Chiang W, Lampa-Pastirk S, Krauss TD, Bren KL. Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 respires CdSe quantum dots for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2206975120. [PMID: 37068259 PMCID: PMC10151509 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206975120] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Living bio-nano systems for artificial photosynthesis are of growing interest. Typically, these systems use photoinduced charge transfer to provide electrons for microbial metabolic processes, yielding a biosynthetic solar fuel. Here, we demonstrate an entirely different approach to constructing a living bio-nano system, in which electrogenic bacteria respire semiconductor nanoparticles to support nanoparticle photocatalysis. Semiconductor nanocrystals are highly active and robust photocatalysts for hydrogen (H2) evolution, but their use is hindered by the oxidative side of the reaction. In this system, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 provides electrons to a CdSe nanocrystalline photocatalyst, enabling visible light-driven H2 production. Unlike microbial electrolysis cells, this system requires no external potential. Illuminating this system at 530 nm yields continuous H2 generation for 168 h, which can be lengthened further by replenishing bacterial nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily H. Edwards
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
| | - Jana Jelušić
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
| | - Ryan M. Kosko
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
| | | | - Soraya S. Ngarnim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
| | - Wesley Chiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
| | | | - Todd D. Krauss
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
- Department of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
| | - Kara L. Bren
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
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9
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Liu X, Ye Y, Zhang Z, Rensing C, Zhou S, Nealson KH. Prophage Induction Causes Geobacter Electroactive Biofilm Decay. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6196-6204. [PMID: 36997849 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08443] [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: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Sustaining a metabolically active electroactive biofilm (EAB) is essential for the high efficiency and durable operation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, EABs usually decay during long-term operation, and, until now, the causes remain unknown. Here, we report that lysogenic phages can cause EAB decay in Geobacter sulfurreducens fuel cells. A cross-streak agar assay and bioinformatic analysis revealed the presence of prophages on the G. sulfurreducens genome, and a mitomycin C induction assay revealed the lysogenic to lytic transition of those prophages, resulting in a progressive decay in both current generation and the EAB. Furthermore, the addition of phages purified from decayed EAB resulted in accelerated decay of the EAB, thereafter contributing to a faster decline in current generation; otherwise, deleting prophage-related genes rescued the decay process. Our study provides the first evidence of an interaction between phages and electroactive bacteria and suggests that attack by phages is a primary cause of EAB decay, having significant implications in bioelectrochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yin Ye
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhishuai Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Christopher Rensing
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Shungui Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Kenneth H Nealson
- Department of Earth Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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10
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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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11
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Yin Y, Liu C, Zhao G, Chen Y. Versatile mechanisms and enhanced strategies of pollutants removal mediated by Shewanella oneidensis: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 440:129703. [PMID: 35963088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The removal of environmental pollutants is important for a sustainable ecosystem and human health. Shewanella oneidensis (S. oneidensis) has diverse electron transfer pathways and can use a variety of contaminants as electron acceptors or electron donors. This paper reviews S. oneidensis's function in removing environmental pollutants, including heavy metals, inorganic non-metallic ions (INMIs), and toxic organic pollutants. S. oneidensis can mineralize o-xylene (OX), phenanthrene (PHE), and pyridine (Py) as electron donors, and also reduce azo dyes, nitro aromatic compounds (NACs), heavy metals, and iodate by extracellular electron transfer (EET). For azo dyes, NACs, Cr(VI), nitrite, nitrate, thiosulfate, and sulfite that can cross the membrane, S. oneidensis transfers electrons to intracellular reductases to catalyze their reduction. However, most organic pollutants cannot be directly degraded by S. oneidensis, but S. oneidensis can remove these pollutants by self-synthesizing catalysts or photocatalysts, constructing bio-photocatalytic systems, driving Fenton reactions, forming microbial consortia, and genetic engineering. However, the industrial-scale application of S. oneidensis is insufficient. Future research on the metabolism of S. oneidensis and interfacial reactions with other materials needs to be deepened, and large-scale reactors should be developed that can be used for practical engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guohua Zhao
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yinguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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12
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A miniaturized bionic ocean-battery mimicking the structure of marine microbial ecosystems. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5608. [PMID: 36153325 PMCID: PMC9509365 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMarine microbial ecosystems can be viewed as a huge ocean-battery charged by solar energy. It provides a model for fabricating bio-solar cell, a bioelectrochemical system that converts light into electricity. Here, we fabricate a bio-solar cell consisting of a four-species microbial community by mimicking the ecological structure of marine microbial ecosystems. We demonstrate such ecological structure consisting of primary producer, primary degrader, and ultimate consumers is essential for achieving high power density and stability. Furthermore, the four-species microbial community is assembled into a spatial-temporally compacted cell using conductive hydrogel as a sediment-like anaerobic matrix, forming a miniaturized bionic ocean-battery. This battery directly converts light into electricity with a maximum power of 380 μW and stably operates for over one month. Reproducing the photoelectric conversion function of marine microbial ecosystems in this bionic battery overcomes the sluggish and network-like electron transfer, showing the biotechnological potential of synthetic microbial ecology.
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13
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Pötschke L, Huber P, Stegschuster G, Schriever S, Kroppen N, Schmatz J, Gries T, Blank LM, Farber P, Rosenbaum MA. Customized Woven Carbon Fiber Electrodes for Bioelectrochemical Systems—A Study of Structural Parameters. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2022.765682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial carbon fiber (CF) fabrics are popular electrode materials for bioelectrochemical systems (BES), but are usually not optimized for the specific application. This study investigates BES-relevant material characteristics on fabric level, such as weave types and weave parameters. The two contrasting weave types plain and leno weave were characterized with respect to their envisaged application types: 1) BES with mainly advective flow regimes and 2) stirred systems, which could benefit from fluid flow through a fabric electrode. Experiments with batch and continuously fed pure cultures of Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 reveal that µm-scale electrode topologies are of limited use for the thick biofilms of G. sulfurreducens, but can boost S. oneidensis’ current generation especially in batch and fed-batch reactors. For advective flow regimes, deeper layers of biofilm inside microporous electrodes are often mass transport limited, even with thin biofilms of S. oneidensis. Therefore, low porosity plain weave electrodes for advective flow operation as in wastewater treating BES should be thin and flat. A trade-off between maximized current density and electrode material utilization exists, which is optimized exemplarily for an advective flow operation. For stirred BES of biotechnological applications, a flow-through of electrolyte is desired. For this, leno weave fabrics with pores at cm-scale are produced from 100% CF for the first time. In a preliminary evaluation, they outperform plain weave fabrics. Mass transfer investigations in stirred BES demonstrate that the large pores enable efficient electrode utilization at lower power input in terms of stirring speed.
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14
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Paquete CM, Rosenbaum MA, Bañeras L, Rotaru AE, Puig S. Let's chat: Communication between electroactive microorganisms. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 347:126705. [PMID: 35065228 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms can exchange electrons with other cells or conductive interfaces in their extracellular environment. This property opens the way to a broad range of practical biotechnological applications, from manufacturing sustainable chemicals via electrosynthesis, to bioenergy, bioelectronics or improved, low-energy demanding wastewater treatments. Besides, electroactive microorganisms play key roles in environmental bioremediation, significantly impacting process efficiencies. This review highlights our present knowledge on microbial interactions promoting the communication between electroactive microorganisms in a biofilm on an electrode in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). Furthermore, the immediate knowledge gaps that must be closed to develop novel technologies will also be acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M Paquete
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, Jena, Germany; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Lluís Bañeras
- Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 40, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Amelia-Elena Rotaru
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurelia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
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15
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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] [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 (jmax) 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 jmax of 88.57 ± 14.04 µA cm−2 (lactate) and jmax of 99.36 ± 19.12 µA cm−2 (lactate and acetate). Further, a decreased time period of reaching jmax 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
- *Correspondence: Falk Harnisch,
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16
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Mukherjee P, Pichiah S, Packirisamy G, Jang M. Biocatalyst physiology and interplay: a protagonist of MFC operation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:43217-43233. [PMID: 34165738 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15015-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFC) have been foreseen as a sustainable renewable energy resource to meet future energy demand. In the past, several studies have been executed in both benchtop and pilot scale to produce electrical energy from wastewater. The key role players in this technology that leads to the operation are microbes, mainly bacteria. The dominant among them is termed as "exoelectrogens" that have the capability to produce and transport electron by utilizing waste source. The current review focuses on such electrogenic bacteria's involvement for enhanced power generation of MFC. The pathway of electron transfer in their cell along and its conduction to the extracellular environment of the MFC system are critically discussed. The interaction of the microbes in various MFC operational conditions, including the role of substrate and solid electron acceptors, i.e., anode, external resistance, temperature, and pH, was also discussed in depth along with biotechnological advancement and future research perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Mukherjee
- Environmental Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 826004, India
| | - Saravanan Pichiah
- Environmental Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 826004, India.
| | - Gopinath Packirisamy
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Min Jang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 447-1, Wolgye-dong Nowon-Gu, Seoul, South Korea
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17
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Berger S, Shaw DR, Berben T, Ouboter HT, In 't Zandt MH, Frank J, Reimann J, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Current production by non-methanotrophic bacteria enriched from an anaerobic methane-oxidizing microbial community. Biofilm 2021; 3:100054. [PMID: 34308332 PMCID: PMC8258643 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2021.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the externalization of electrons as part of respiratory metabolic processes has been discovered in many different bacteria and some archaea. Microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) plays an important role in many anoxic natural or engineered ecosystems. In this study, an anaerobic methane-converting microbial community was investigated with regard to its potential to perform EET. At this point, it is not well-known if or how EET confers a competitive advantage to certain species in methane-converting communities. EET was investigated in a two-chamber electrochemical system, sparged with methane and with an applied potential of +400 mV versus standard hydrogen electrode. A biofilm developed on the working electrode and stable low-density current was produced, confirming that EET indeed did occur. The appearance and presence of redox centers at −140 to −160 mV and at −230 mV in the biofilm was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry scans. Metagenomic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization of the biofilm showed that the anaerobic methanotroph ‘Candidatus Methanoperedens BLZ2’ was a significant member of the biofilm community, but its relative abundance did not increase compared to the inoculum. On the contrary, the relative abundance of other members of the microbial community significantly increased (up to 720-fold, 7.2% of mapped reads), placing these microorganisms among the dominant species in the bioanode community. This group included Zoogloea sp., Dechloromonas sp., two members of the Bacteroidetes phylum, and the spirochete Leptonema sp. Genes encoding proteins putatively involved in EET were identified in Zoogloea sp., Dechloromonas sp. and one member of the Bacteroidetes phylum. We suggest that instead of methane, alternative carbon sources such as acetate were the substrate for EET. Hence, EET in a methane-driven chemolithoautotrophic microbial community seems a complex process in which interactions within the microbial community are driving extracellular electron transfer to the electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Berger
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - D R Shaw
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - T Berben
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - H T Ouboter
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M H In 't Zandt
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - J Frank
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - J Reimann
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M S M Jetten
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - C U Welte
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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18
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Sapireddy V, Katuri KP, Muhammad A, Saikaly PE. Competition of two highly specialized and efficient acetoclastic electroactive bacteria for acetate in biofilm anode of microbial electrolysis cell. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2021; 7:47. [PMID: 34059681 PMCID: PMC8166840 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-021-00218-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining functional stability of microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) treating wastewater depends on maintaining functional redundancy of efficient electroactive bacteria (EAB) on the anode biofilm. Therefore, investigating whether efficient EAB competing for the same resources (electron donor and acceptor) co-exist at the anode biofilm is key for the successful application of MEC for wastewater treatment. Here, we compare the electrochemical and kinetic properties of two efficient acetoclastic EAB, Geobacter sulfurreducens (GS) and Desulfuromonas acetexigens (DA), grown as monoculture in MECs fed with acetate. Additionally, we monitor the evolution of DA and GS in co-culture MECs fed with acetate or domestic wastewater using fluorescent in situ hybridization. The apparent Monod kinetic parameters reveal that DA possesses higher jmax (10.7 ± 0.4 A/m2) and lower KS, app (2 ± 0.15 mM) compared to GS biofilms (jmax: 9.6 ± 0.2 A/m2 and KS, app: 2.9 ± 0.2 mM). Further, more donor electrons are diverted to the anode for respiration in DA compared to GS. In acetate-fed co-culture MECs, DA (98% abundance) outcompete GS for anode-dependent growth. In contrast, both EAB co-exist (DA: 55 ± 2%; GS: 24 ± 1.1%) in wastewater-fed co-culture MECs despite the advantage of DA over GS based on kinetic parameters alone. The co-existence of efficient acetoclastic EAB with high current density in MECs fed with wastewater is significant in the context of functional redundancy to maintain stable performance. Our findings also provide insight to future studies on bioaugmentation of wastewater-fed MECs with efficient EAB to enhance performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veerraghavulu Sapireddy
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Krishna P Katuri
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ali Muhammad
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
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19
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Engineering Cooperation in an Anaerobic Coculture. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02852-20. [PMID: 33771781 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02852-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past century, microbiologists have studied organisms in pure culture, yet it is becoming increasingly apparent that the majority of biological processes rely on multispecies cooperation and interaction. While little is known about how such interactions permit cooperation, even less is known about how cooperation arises. To study the emergence of cooperation in the laboratory, we constructed both a commensal community and an obligate mutualism using the previously noninteracting bacteria Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens Incorporation of a glycerol utilization plasmid (pGUT2) enabled S. oneidensis to metabolize glycerol and produce acetate as a carbon source for G. sulfurreducens, establishing a cross-feeding, commensal coculture. In the commensal coculture, both species coupled oxidative metabolism to the respiration of fumarate as the terminal electron acceptor. Deletion of the gene encoding fumarate reductase in the S. oneidensis/pGUT2 strain shifted the coculture with G. sulfurreducens to an obligate mutualism where neither species could grow in the absence of the other. A shift in metabolic strategy from glycerol catabolism to malate metabolism was associated with obligate coculture growth. Further targeted deletions in malate uptake and acetate generation pathways in S. oneidensis significantly inhibited coculture growth with G. sulfurreducens The engineered coculture between S. oneidensis and G. sulfurreducens provides a model laboratory system to study the emergence of cooperation in bacterial communities, and the shift in metabolic strategy observed in the obligate coculture highlights the importance of genetic change in shaping microbial interactions in the environment.IMPORTANCE Microbes seldom live alone in the environment, yet this scenario is approximated in the vast majority of pure-culture laboratory experiments. Here, we develop an anaerobic coculture system to begin understanding microbial physiology in a more complex setting but also to determine how anaerobic microbial communities can form. Using synthetic biology, we generated a coculture system where the facultative anaerobe Shewanella oneidensis consumes glycerol and provides acetate to the strict anaerobe Geobacter sulfurreducens In the commensal system, growth of G. sulfurreducens is dependent on the presence of S. oneidensis To generate an obligate coculture, where each organism requires the other, we eliminated the ability of S. oneidensis to respire fumarate. An unexpected shift in metabolic strategy from glycerol catabolism to malate metabolism was observed in the obligate coculture. Our work highlights how metabolic landscapes can be expanded in multispecies communities and provides a system to evaluate the evolution of cooperation under anaerobic conditions.
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20
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Scarabotti F, Rago L, Bühler K, Harnisch F. The electrode potential determines the yield coefficients of early-stage Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilm anodes. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107752. [PMID: 33618189 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Geobacter sulfurreducens is the model for electroactive microorganisms (EAM). EAM can use solid state terminal electron acceptors (TEA) including anodes via extracellular electron transfer (EET). Yield coefficients relate the produced cell number or biomass to the oxidized substrate or the reduced TEA. These data are not yet sufficiently available for EAM growing at anodes. Thus, this study provides information about kinetics as well as yield coefficients of early-stage G. sulfurreducens biofilms using anodes as TEA at the potentials of -200 mV, 0 mV and +200 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl sat. KCl). The selected microorganism was therefore cultivated in single and double chamber batch reactors on graphite or AuPd anodes. Interestingly, whereas the lag time and maximum current density within 12 days of growth differed, the anode potential does not influence the coulombic efficiency and the formal potential of the EET, which remains constant for all the experiments at ~ -300 to -350 mV. We demonstrated for the first time that the anode potential has a strong influence on single cell yield coefficients which ranged from 2.69 × 1012 cells mole--1 at -200 mV and 1.48 × 1012 cells mole--1 at 0 mV to 2.58 × 1011 cells mole--1 at +200 mV in single chamber reactors and from 1.15 × 1012 cells mole--1 at -200 mV to 8.98× 1011 cells mole--1 at 0 mV in double chamber reactors. This data can be useful for optimization and scaling-up of primary microbial electrochemical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Scarabotti
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Laura Rago
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Bühler
- Department Solar Materials, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
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21
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Schlembach I, Grünberger A, Rosenbaum MA, Regestein L. Measurement Techniques to Resolve and Control Population Dynamics of Mixed-Culture Processes. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:1093-1109. [PMID: 33573846 PMCID: PMC7612867 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Microbial mixed cultures are gaining increasing attention as biotechnological production systems, since they offer a large but untapped potential for future bioprocesses. Effects of secondary metabolite induction and advantages of labor division for the degradation of complex substrates offer new possibilities for process intensification. However, mixed cultures are highly complex, and, consequently, many biotic and abiotic parameters are required to be identified, characterized, and ideally controlled to establish a stable bioprocess. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of existing measurement techniques for identifying, characterizing, monitoring, and controlling mixed cultures and highlight promising examples. Moreover, existing challenges and emerging technologies are discussed, which lay the foundation for novel analytical workflows to monitor mixed-culture bioprocesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Schlembach
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany; Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Bachstrasse 18K, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Grünberger
- Multiscale Bioengineering, Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany; Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Bachstrasse 18K, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Lars Regestein
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 23, 07745 Jena, Germany.
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22
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Aiyer KS. Synergistic effects in a microbial fuel cell between co-cultures and a photosynthetic alga Chlorella vulgaris improve performance. Heliyon 2021; 7:e05935. [PMID: 33490687 PMCID: PMC7810779 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e05935] [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] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities are catalysts that drive the operation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this study, the use of a defined co-culture of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa towards improved power generation in MFCs is described. The co-culture has been initially evaluated for substrate consumption, biofilm formation and microbial electron transfer activity. The co-culture gave an enhanced power density of 190.44 mW m−2, while E. coli and P. aeruginosa as pure cultures generated lesser power densities of 139.24 and 158.76 mW m−2 respectively. The photosynthetic alga Chlorella vulgaris was then inoculated in the cathode chamber. Co-cultures in the presence of C. vulgaris improved the mean power density from 175 mW m−2 to 248 mW m−2, a 41.7% rise. A synergistic effect was observed when the co-cultures were coupled with C. vulgaris. Combining co-cultures with photosynthetic MFCs offers a lot of promise in studying mechanisms and expanding the nature of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik S Aiyer
- Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh 515134, India
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23
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Zhang F, Battaglia-Brunet F, Hellal J, Joulian C, Gautret P, Motelica-Heino M. Impact of Fe(III) (Oxyhydr)oxides Mineralogy on Iron Solubilization and Associated Microbial Communities. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:571244. [PMID: 33329429 PMCID: PMC7715016 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.571244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron-reducing bacteria (IRB) are strongly involved in Fe cycling in surface environments. Transformation of Fe and associated trace elements is strongly linked to the reactivity of various iron minerals. Mechanisms of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides bio-reduction have been mostly elucidated with pure bacterial strains belonging to Geobacter or Shewanella genera, whereas studies involving mixed IRB populations remain scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the iron reducing rates of IRB enriched consortia originating from complex environmental samples, when grown in presence of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides of different mineralogy. The abundances of Geobacter and Shewanella were assessed in order to acquire knowledge about the abundance of these two genera in relation to the effects of mixed IRB populations on kinetic control of mineralogical Fe (oxyhydr)oxides reductive dissolution. Laboratory experiments were carried out with two freshly synthetized Fe (oxyhydr)oxides presenting contrasting specific surfaces, and two defined Fe-oxides, i.e., goethite and hematite. Three IRB consortia were enriched from environmental samples from a riverbank subjected to cyclic redox oscillations related to flooding periods (Decize, France): an unsaturated surface soil, a flooded surface soil and an aquatic sediment, with a mixture of organic compounds provided as electron donors. The consortia could all reduce iron-nitrilotriacetate acid (Fe(III)-NTA) in 1–2 days. When grown on Fe (oxyhydr)oxides, Fe solubilization rates decreased as follows: fresh Fe (oxyhydr)oxides > goethite > hematite. Based on a bacterial rrs gene fingerprinting approach (CE-SSCP), bacterial community structure in presence of Fe(III)-minerals was similar to those of the site sample communities from which they originated but differed from that of the Fe(III)-NTA enrichments. Shewanella was more abundant than Geobacter in all cultures. Its abundance was higher in presence of the most efficiently reduced Fe (oxyhydr)oxide than with other Fe(III)-minerals. Geobacter as a proportion of the total community was highest in the presence of the least easily solubilized Fe (oxyhydr)oxides. This study highlights the influence of Fe mineralogy on the abundance of Geobacter and Shewanella in relation to Fe bio-reduction kinetics in presence of a complex mixture of electron donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfeng Zhang
- Univ. Orléans, CNRS, BRGM, ISTO, UMR 7327, Orléans, France.,BRGM, Orléans, France
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Anode Modification as an Alternative Approach to Improve Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells. ENERGIES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/en13246596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sustainable production of electricity from renewable sources by microorganisms is considered an attractive alternative to energy production from fossil fuels. In recent years, research on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) technology for electricity production has increased. However, there are problems with up-scaling MFCs due to the fairly low power output and high operational costs. One of the approaches to improving energy generation in MFCs is by modifying the existing anode materials to provide more electrochemically active sites and improve the adhesion of microorganisms. The aim of this review is to present the effect of anode modification with carbon compounds, metallic nanomaterials, and polymers and the effect that these modifications have on the structure of the microbiological community inhabiting the anode surface. This review summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of individual materials as well as possibilities for using them for environmentally friendly production of electricity in MFCs.
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25
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Experimental investigation into indole production using passaging of E. coli and B. subtilis along with unstructured modeling and parameter estimation using dynamic optimization: An integrated framework. Biochem Eng J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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26
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Jawaharraj K, Shrestha N, Chilkoor G, Vemuri B, Gadhamshetty V. Electricity from methanol using indigenous methylotrophs from hydraulic fracturing flowback water. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 135:107549. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Hill A, Tait S, Baillie C, Virdis B, McCabe B. Microbial electrochemical sensors for volatile fatty acid measurement in high strength wastewaters: A review. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 165:112409. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Quantification of microaerobic growth of Geobacter sulfurreducens. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0215341. [PMID: 31945063 PMCID: PMC6964889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Geobacter sulfurreducens was originally considered a strict anaerobe. However, this bacterium was later shown to not only tolerate exposure to oxygen but also to use it as terminal electron acceptor. Research performed has so far only revealed the general ability of G. sulfurreducens to reduce oxygen, but the oxygen uptake rate has not been quantified yet, nor has evidence been provided as to how the bacterium achieves oxygen reduction. Therefore, microaerobic growth of G. sulfurreducens was investigated here with better defined operating conditions as previously performed and a transcriptome analysis was performed to elucidate possible metabolic mechanisms important for oxygen reduction in G. sulfurreducens. The investigations revealed that cell growth with oxygen is possible to the same extent as with fumarate if the maximum specific oxygen uptake rate (sOUR) of 95 mgO2 gCDW-1 h-1 is not surpassed. Hereby, the entire amount of introduced oxygen is reduced. When oxygen concentrations are too high, cell growth is completely inhibited and there is no partial oxygen consumption. Transcriptome analysis suggests a menaquinol oxidase to be the enzyme responsible for oxygen reduction. Transcriptome analysis has further revealed three different survival strategies, depending on the oxygen concentration present. When prompted with small amounts of oxygen, G. sulfurreducens will try to escape the microaerobic area; if oxygen concentrations are higher, cells will focus on rapid and complete oxygen reduction coupled to cell growth; and ultimately cells will form protective layers if a complete reduction becomes impossible. The results presented here have important implications for understanding how G. sulfurreducens survives exposure to oxygen.
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Heydorn RL, Engel C, Krull R, Dohnt K. Strategies for the Targeted Improvement of Anodic Electron Transfer in Microbial Fuel Cells. CHEMBIOENG REVIEWS 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cben.201900023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Leopold Heydorn
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitute of Biochemical Engineering, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Christina Engel
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitute of Biochemical Engineering, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Rainer Krull
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitute of Biochemical Engineering, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Katrin Dohnt
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitute of Biochemical Engineering, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Germany
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Sun D, Wan X, Liu W, Xia X, Huang F, Wang A, Smith JA, Dang Y, Holmes DE. Characterization of the genome from Geobacter anodireducens, a strain with enhanced current production in bioelectrochemical systems. RSC Adv 2019; 9:25890-25899. [PMID: 35530078 PMCID: PMC9070056 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra02343g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Geobacter anodireducens is unique in that it can generate high current densities in bioelectrochemical systems (BES) operating under high salt conditions. This ability is important for the development of BES treating high salt wastewater and microbial desalination cells. Therefore, the genome of G. anodireducens was characterized to identify proteins that might allow this strain to survive in high salt BES. Comparison to other Geobacter species revealed that 81 of its 87 c-type cytochromes had homologs in G. soli and G. sulfurreducens. Genes coding for many extracellular electron transfer proteins were also detected, including the outer membrane c-type cytochromes OmcS and OmcZ and the soluble c-type cytochrome PgcA. G. anodireducens also appears to have numerous membrane complexes involved in the translocation of protons and sodium ions and channels that provide protection against osmotic shock. In addition, it has more DNA repair genes than most Geobacter species, suggesting that it might be able to more rapidly repair DNA damage caused in high salt and low pH anode environments. Although this genomic analysis provides invaluable insight into mechanisms used by G. anodireducens to survive in high salt BES, genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies will need to be done to validate their roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Sun
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University Zhoushan 316021 P. R. China
| | - Xinyuan Wan
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University Zhoushan 316021 P. R. China
| | - Wenzong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, China Academy of Sciences Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Xue Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, China Academy of Sciences Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Fangliang Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310058 P. R. China
| | - Aijie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, China Academy of Sciences Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Jessica A Smith
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University 1615 Stanley Street New Britain CT 06050 USA
| | - Yan Dang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University 35 Tsinghua East Road Beijing 100083 China
| | - Dawn E Holmes
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University 1215 Wilbraham Rd Springfield MA 01190 USA
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Heydorn RL, Engel C, Krull R, Dohnt K. Strategien zur gezielten Verbesserung des anodenseitigen Elektronentransfers in mikrobiellen Brennstoffzellen. CHEM-ING-TECH 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.201800214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Leopold Heydorn
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitut für Bioverfahrenstechnik, Braunschweiger Zentrum für Systembiologie Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Deutschland
| | - Christina Engel
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitut für Bioverfahrenstechnik, Braunschweiger Zentrum für Systembiologie Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Deutschland
| | - Rainer Krull
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitut für Bioverfahrenstechnik, Braunschweiger Zentrum für Systembiologie Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Deutschland
| | - Katrin Dohnt
- Technische Universität BraunschweigInstitut für Bioverfahrenstechnik, Braunschweiger Zentrum für Systembiologie Rebenring 56 38106 Braunschweig Deutschland
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