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Microbial nanowires: an electrifying tale.
Sandeep Sure1, M Leigh Ackland2, Angel A J Torriero2
1TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gual Pahari, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, Gurgaon, Haryana 122 001, India.
Microbiology (Reading, England)
|December 1, 2016
Summary
Microbial nanowires (MNWs) are revolutionizing electromicrobiology, offering insights into microbial electron transfer. These structures hold significant potential for bioenergy, biogeochemistry, and bioremediation applications.
Area of Science:
- Electromicrobiology
- Microbial Physiology
Background:
- Electromicrobiology has seen significant growth due to advancements in microbial fuel cells and the discovery of microbial nanowires (MNWs).
- The expanding list of MNW-producing microorganisms reveals their presence in diverse environments and hints at their functional roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review microbial nanowires (MNWs) produced by various microorganisms.
- To discuss the structure, composition, and electron transfer mechanisms of MNWs.
- To highlight the potential applications of MNWs in bioenergy, biogeochemistry, and bioremediation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on microbial nanowires.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms for electron transfer through MNWs.
- Compilation of current understanding of metallic-like conductivity and electron hopping models.
Main Results:
- MNWs exhibit diverse structures and compositions across different microbial species.
- Two primary hypotheses, metallic-like conductivity and electron hopping, explain electron transfer through MNWs.
- Current research provides insights into both proposed electron transfer mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Microbial nanowires are crucial structures in electromicrobiology, impacting our understanding of microbial interactions.
- MNWs present significant potential for transformative applications in bioenergy, biogeochemistry, and bioremediation.
