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Oxidation-reduction or redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from one molecule or atom to another. When an atom gains an electron, another atom must lose an electron, meaning oxidation and reduction must occur together. Since the redox occurs in pairs, the atom that gets oxidized is also called the reducing agent or reductant, and the atom that is reduced is also called the oxidizing agent or oxidant. A straightforward way to remember the definitions of oxidation and reduction is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Electrochemical Detection of Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effect on Extracellular Electron Transport in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Electrochemical Detection of Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effect on Extracellular Electron Transport in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Published on: April 16, 2018

Redox-reactive membrane vesicles produced by Shewanella.

Y Gorby¹, J McLean, A Korenevsky

¹J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. ygorby@jcvi.org

|May 24, 2008

Summary

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria produce membrane vesicles that transform and precipitate heavy metals and radionuclides. These vesicles, potentially resembling nanofossils, may serve as biosignatures for extraterrestrial life.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biogeochemistry
Astrobiology

Background:

Dr. Terry Beveridge pioneered research in microbial ultrastructure, S-layers, and microbe-mineral interactions.
His work defined the structure and function of outer membrane vesicles in Gram-negative bacteria.
This study integrates research on microbial metal interactions and membrane vesicle functions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of membrane vesicles from Shewanella in heavy metal and radionuclide transformation.
To explore the potential of mineralized vesicles as biosignatures for early life and extraterrestrial life.

Main Methods:

Utilized electron microscopy to study microbial ultrastructure and membrane vesicles.
Investigated the catalytic activity of membrane vesicles in metal precipitation.
Examined the association of membrane vesicles with bacterial nanowires under low-shear conditions.

Main Results:

Membrane vesicles from Shewanella catalyze the enzymatic transformation and precipitation of heavy metals and radionuclides.
Mineralized vesicles exhibit morphological similarities to nanofossils.
Membrane vesicles are tethered to cells by bacterial nanowires under low-shear conditions.

Conclusions:

Microbial membrane vesicles play a significant role in biogeochemical cycling of metals.
Mineralized vesicles hold potential as indicators of past life on Earth and biosignatures for extraterrestrial life.
Further research is needed to elucidate the functional role of membrane vesicles and bacterial nanowires.