Microbial electrosensing: wiring ecology to biotechnology

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bioelectrochemistry
• Microbial Ecology

Background:

• Microbial habitats are rich in electric cues (ECs), but microbial electrosensing is understudied.
• Four main EC types exist: electric fields (EFs), electrode potentials, redox signals, and electromagnetic induction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To distinguish EC types and their sensing mechanisms.
• To explore conserved electrosensing strategies in bacteria and eukaryotes.
• To assess applications in bioenergy, bioremediation, and electroceutical therapy.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of EC types and their biological sensing mechanisms.
• Review of recent findings on cable bacteria's response to dynamic EFs via electromagnetic induction.
• Synthesis of conserved sensing strategies and potential applications.

Main Results:

• Identified four principal EC types and their sensing mechanisms.
• Cable bacteria utilize electromagnetic induction to sense dynamic EFs, a novel finding.
• Conserved electrosensing strategies are present in bacteria, with emerging evidence in eukaryotes.

Conclusions:

• Microbial electrosensing is a crucial but overlooked field.
• Electromagnetic induction is a key sensing mechanism for dynamic EFs.
• Future research should focus on dynamic electric landscapes for broader applications in bioenergy, bioremediation, and electroceutical therapy.