Novo Nordisk Fonden - Harnessing microbes to store electricity and capture carbon dioxide in sustainable chemicals

We expect to unravel the enigmatic direct electron uptake mechanism in Methanosarcina. These archaea have very unusual cell surface biology. Do not possess the typical electron transfer conduit described in bacteria. Have the thickest cell wall a prokaryote has ever "seen" (ca. 160nm), made of an exopolysaccharide/EPS - methanochondroitin. We anticipate an unprecedented mechanism of electron uptake mediated by EPS-metal composites. Unlike indirect approaches for electricity capture, direct electron capture could be engineered. We expect to improve electron conversion efficiencies by overexpression of the direct-electron uptake conduit or of components involved in biofilm formation.