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Updated: Aug 20, 2025

Generating Controlled, Dynamic Chemical Landscapes to Study Microbial Behavior
Published on: January 31, 2020
Multivariate landscapes constructed by Bayesian estimation over five hundred microbial electrochemical time profiles
Waheed Miran1,2, Wenyuan Huang1,3, Xizi Long1
1International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.
Abstract:
Data science emerges as a promising approach for studying and optimizing complex multivariable phenomena, such as the interaction between microorganisms and electrodes. However, there have been limited reports on a bioelectrochemical system that can produce a reliable database until date. Herein, we developed a high-throughput platform with low deviation to apply two-dimensional (2D) Bayesian estimation for electrode potential and redox-active additive concentration to optimize microbial current production (I ). A 96-channel potentiostat represents <10% SD for maximum I . 576 time-I profiles were obtained in 120 different electrolyte and potentiostatic conditions with two model electrogenic bacteria, Shewanella and Geobacter. Acquisition functions showed the highest performance per concentration for riboflavin over a wide potential range in Shewanella. The underlying mechanism was validated by electrochemical analysis with mutant strains lacking outer-membrane redox enzymes. We anticipate that the combination of data science and high-throughput electrochemistry will greatly accelerate a breakthrough for bioelectrochemical technologies.

