NanoSIMS imaging reveals metabolic stratification within current-producing biofilms

Chadwick, Grayson L.; Jiménez Otero, Fernanda; Gralnick, Jeffrey A.; Bond, Daniel R.; Orphan, Victoria J.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1912498116

Title: NanoSIMS imaging reveals metabolic stratification within current-producing biofilms

Journal Article · 23 September 2019 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1912498116 · OSTI ID:1565965

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Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125,
BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108,
BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108,, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108

Significance Electricity-producing bacteria are potential power sources, fermentation platforms, and desalination systems, if current densities could be increased. These organisms form conductive biofilms on electrodes, allowing new cell layers to contribute to current production until a limit is reached, but the biological underpinning of this limit is not well-understood. We investigated the limitation behind this phenomenon using stable isotope probing and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry, showing active cells are restricted to layers closest to the electrode. This metabolic observation fundamentally changes our understanding of electron flow and cell growth within current-producing biofilms and provides constraints on the physical structure of natural communities reliant on this process for growth. We predict improvements in biofilm conductivity will yield higher current-producing systems.

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Research Organization:: California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0016469

OSTI ID:: 1565965

Journal Information:: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 41 Vol. 116; ISSN 0027-8424

Publisher:: Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: NanoSIMS imaging reveals metabolic stratification within current-producing biofilms

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