Protein Engineering of Electron Transfer Components from Electroactive Geobacter Bacteria

Electrogenic microorganisms possess unique redox biological features, being capable of transferring electrons to the cell exterior and converting highly toxic compounds into nonhazardous forms. These have led development Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs), which include applications in fields bioremediation bioenergy production. The optimization these technologies involves efforts from several different disciplines, ranging microbiology materials science. Geobacter bacteria served as a model for understanding mechanisms underlying phenomenon extracellular electron transfer, is dependent on multitude multiheme cytochromes (MCs). MCs are, therefore, logical targets rational protein engineering improve transfer rates bacteria. However, presence heme groups complicates detailed characterization MCs. In this Review, main characteristics electroactive bacteria, their potential develop microbial electrochemical features are initially highlighted. This followed by description current methodologies that assist functional networks Finally, it discussed how information can be explored design optimal Geobacter-mutated strains with improved capabilities METs.