Electron Transport at the Microbe–Mineral Interface: A Synthesis of Current Research Challenges

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Biochemical Society: Transactions, 40(6):1163-1166

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20120242· OSTI ID:1061410

Richardson, David; Fredrickson, Jim K; Zachara, John M

Many bacterial and archaeal species can couple growth to the respiratory reduction or oxidation of insoluble mineral oxides of transition metals. These solid substrates are abundant electron sinks and sources for life on Earth, but, since they are insoluble in water, they cannot enter the bacterial cells. So, to exploit these electron sinks and sources, specific respiratory electron-transfer mechanisms must overcome the physical limitations associated with electron transfer between a microbe and extracellular metal oxides. Recent microbiological, geochemical, biochemical, spectroscopic and structural work is beginning to shed light on the molecular mechanism and impacts of electron transfer at themicrobe–mineral interface from a nanometre to kilometre scale. The research field is attracting attention in applied quarters from those with interests in nanowires, microbial fuel cells, bioremediation and microbial cell factories.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1061410
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-92980; KP1702030
• Journal Information: Biochemical Society: Transactions, 40(6):1163-1166, Journal Name: Biochemical Society: Transactions, 40(6):1163-1166
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English