Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

Different fluorescence-based techniques are used to study the protein dynamics in living cells. These techniques include FRAP, FRET, and PET.
Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a fluorescent-protein-based detection technique used to quantify protein movement rates within the cell. This method exposes a small portion of the cell to an intense laser beam. The laser beam causes permanent photobleaching of the fluorophore-tagged proteins in the exposed region. As the bleached...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A macroscopic condensation theory for vibrational strong coupling effects.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Ab Initio Polariton Spectra of ZnTPP Molecules Collectively Coupled Inside an Optical Cavity.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026

Same author

Synthesis and UV-Curing Modification of the High cis-1,4-Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene Binder Suitable for Ultra-Low Temperature Applications.

Polymers·2026

Same author

<i>Ab Initio</i> Polariton Transport Dynamics with the Classical Path Approximation.

Nano letters·2026

Same author

Long-lived polaritonic coherence and polaron decoupling effects in 2D electronic spectra.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Autonomous and Continuous Atmospheric Water Harvesting Using Modified Wood.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties

Published on: May 2, 2014

Tracing Protons within Electrochemically Active Biofilms via Real-Time pH Mapping.

Yuyi Gu¹, Xiang Qi¹, Pengfei Huo¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Regional Environment and Sustainability, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.

Environmental Science & Technology

|August 6, 2025

Summary

Understanding proton dynamics in electroactive biofilms (EABs) is key for microbial energy conversion. This study reveals how organic load and buffering affect internal pH, impacting proton and electron transfer for better bioelectrochemical system design.

Keywords:

electroactive biofilms electron flux pH mapping proton flux

More Related Videos

Ratiometric Imaging of Extracellular pH in Dental Biofilms

Ratiometric Imaging of Extracellular pH in Dental Biofilms

Published on: March 9, 2016

Monitoring Extracellular pH in Cross-Kingdom Biofilms using Confocal Microscopy

Monitoring Extracellular pH in Cross-Kingdom Biofilms using Confocal Microscopy

Published on: January 30, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties

Published on: May 2, 2014

Ratiometric Imaging of Extracellular pH in Dental Biofilms

Ratiometric Imaging of Extracellular pH in Dental Biofilms

Published on: March 9, 2016

Monitoring Extracellular pH in Cross-Kingdom Biofilms using Confocal Microscopy

Monitoring Extracellular pH in Cross-Kingdom Biofilms using Confocal Microscopy

Published on: January 30, 2020

Area of Science:

Bioelectrochemistry
Microbial Physiology
Environmental Engineering

Background:

Accurate characterization of proton spatiotemporal distribution is crucial for understanding proton/electron generation and transfer in electroactive biofilms (EABs).
Proton distribution is influenced by generation (electron donor-dependent) and transfer (concentration gradients, buffering effects).

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of organic load and buffering on proton distribution and electroactivity in EABs using real-time pH mapping.
To elucidate the relationship between proton flux and electron transfer mechanisms in EABs.

Main Methods:

Employed ratiometric fluorescence sensing for nondestructive, real-time pH mapping in current-producing EABs.
Varied organic substrate (NaAc) concentrations and utilized a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) system.

Main Results:

Low organic load (≤0.4 g/L NaAc) in a PBS-free system prevented internal acidification (pH ≥ 6) due to proton diffusion.
Elevated organic load (0.8 g/L NaAc) caused excessive proton accumulation, leading to acidification (pH < 6) and suppressed electroactivity.
Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) maintained neutral pH but reduced proton concentration gradients, impairing diffusion efficiency.

Conclusions:

Proton diffusion is critical for maintaining EAB electroactivity, with organic load and buffering significantly influencing internal pH.
A strong correlation between proton flux and electron flux was observed, suggesting proton monitoring can trace electron transfer in EABs.