Mammalian Fuel Cells Produce Electric Current

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Renewable Energy
• Cellular Bioenergetics

Background:

• Growing concerns about climate change necessitate clean energy solutions.
• Biofuel cells utilize unicellular organisms as electron donors, primarily microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and microalgae.
• Current methods are limited to microbial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the novel use of mammalian cell cultures and organoids as electron donors in biofuel cells.
• To demonstrate the potential of non-microbial biological systems for electricity generation.
• To expand the scope of biological materials for renewable energy applications.

Main Methods:

• Cyclic voltammetry was used to assess electron release from ARPE19 cells.
• 2D-fluorescence measurements were employed to analyze photosensitive retinal organoids.
• Measurement of photocurrent generated by cellular electron donation to an anode.

Main Results:

• ARPE19 cells, when associated with an anode, release reducing molecules that produce electricity.
• Illuminated stem cell-derived retinal organoids secrete NADH and NADPH.
• These secreted molecules (NADH and NADPH) donate electrons at the anode, generating photocurrent.

Conclusions:

• Mammalian cell cultures and organoids represent a new class of electron donors for biofuel cells.
• This study validates the use of ARPE19 cells and retinal organoids in electricity generation.
• The findings open avenues for developing novel bio-electronic devices using mammalian cells.