Researchers at EPFL have developed a groundbreaking method to enhance the ability of E. coli bacteria to generate electricity, offering a sustainable solution for organic waste processing. By engineering E. coli to exhibit enhanced extracellular electron transfer (EET), the researchers created highly efficient “electric microbes.” Unlike previous methods that required specific chemicals, the bioengineered E. coli can produce electricity while metabolizing a variety of organic substrates. The team successfully created a complete EET pathway within the bacteria, leading to a three-fold increase in electrical current generation. The engineered E. coli also demonstrated remarkable performance in various environments, including wastewater from a brewery. The applications of this technology extend beyond waste treatment, as the bacteria can be utilized in microbial fuel cells, electrosynthesis, and biosensing. This research opens new horizons for microbial electricity production and sustainable technology development.
https://actu.epfl.ch/news/bacteria-generate-electricity-from-wastewater/