Bacteria have a profound effect on the chemistry of the environment, and we are only beginning to appreciate the diversity of metabolic strategies that have evolved in response to the energy released during oxidation and reduction of organic and inorganic compounds.
Bacteria that can transfer electrons to metals in the environment can be harnessed in technologies that require the precision of enzymes and the adaptability of live organisms. Thus, electricity can be produced directly from wastewater, specific compounds can be synthesized at electrode surfaces, and chemicals can be detected in complex mixtures.
We seek to invent new tools able to explore this interface between biology and electricity, identify the molecular basis for this metabolism, and develop novel applications for these organisms.
Interfacing Biology and Electricity
Dr. Daniel R. Bond
Department of Microbiology
and Biotechnology Institute
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