We engineer and optimize the “electrical bridges” between living cells and non-living materials to unlock faster, more robust bioelectronic devices.
🔹 Hybrid cytochrome-c maturation boosts current
By introducing a hybrid maturation system—combining Shewanella and E. coli Ccm proteins—we elevated levels of CymA in engineered E. coli. The result: ~50% more current per cell and a two-fold stronger response to flavin mediators, overcoming a key bottleneck in both direct and mediated electron transfer to electrodes.
By introducing a hybrid maturation system—combining Shewanella and E. coli Ccm proteins—we elevated levels of CymA in engineered E. coli. The result: ~50% more current per cell and a two-fold stronger response to flavin mediators, overcoming a key bottleneck in both direct and mediated electron transfer to electrodes.
🔹 Tuning multiheme cytochromes through peptide design
Targeted peptide “tags” were inserted throughout the decaheme protein MtrA to identify regions critical for electron flow. Sites near heme groups were highly sensitive, while other positions tolerated modification—revealing design rules for optimizing protein-based electron conduits.
Targeted peptide “tags” were inserted throughout the decaheme protein MtrA to identify regions critical for electron flow. Sites near heme groups were highly sensitive, while other positions tolerated modification—revealing design rules for optimizing protein-based electron conduits.
🔹 Nanocomposite interfaces improve electron output
Coating Shewanella loihica cells in a TiO₂@TiN nanocomposite increased electron transfer at the cell–material boundary. This seamless interface boosted overall bioelectrical performance, demonstrating how materials engineering can amplify biological electron flux.
Coating Shewanella loihica cells in a TiO₂@TiN nanocomposite increased electron transfer at the cell–material boundary. This seamless interface boosted overall bioelectrical performance, demonstrating how materials engineering can amplify biological electron flux.
Why it matters:
⚙️ Enhanced performance: Improves electron delivery between cells and devices for stronger signals.
⚙️ Engineering insight: Identifies key bottlenecks and tunable regions in protein-based electron transfer.
⚙️ Versatile platforms: Builds reliable foundations for biosensors, microbial fuel cells, and bioelectronics.