Scientists discover bacteria that can breathe by generating electricity

Some bacteria consume sugar. Some survive in boiling acid. And now, it appears that some organisms are igniting electricity as if they’re powering tiny iPhones within their ribosomes.  

Researchers have recently uncovered that Escherichia coli (a microorganism commonly known for occasionally spoiling your romaine lettuce) possesses an extraordinary ability. In environments lacking oxygen, these tiny microbes can literally endure by releasing electrons into their vicinity, effectively “breathing” electricity. If that sounds like a scenario from a low-budget superhero origin tale, you’re onto something.  

E. coli, the new IT bacteria 

The variant featured in this examination is a boring, harmless lab strain — the microbial analog of a golden retriever. It has been assisting researchers since the ’40s and has yet to induce a single case of gastrointestinal regret.  

However, below the right conditions, it turns out this microscopic pal can ditch oxygen altogether and begin pushing electrons outside its personal body. The research, published in Cell this year, indicates that E. coli can survive and grow by shifting electrons to conductive surfaces, like electrodes.  

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How does this whole electric circuit work? 

Within the bacteria, a compound named NADH (which typically aids in electricity production) begins to shovel electrons like an overly caffeinated coal miner. These electrons are transferred to HNQ, an oddly named molecule referred to as 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, which functions like a molecular power cord.  

HNQ then races these electrons out of the cell, directly into an electrode. And at the heart of this bizarre procedure is a little enzyme referred to as NfsB, which essentially acts like a bouncer, making sure those electrons head out the door well. 

Industry improvements 

This discovery adds to a previously unknown survival method inside the bacterial world. It opens doors for massive advancements in clean energy and business biotechnology. Capacity applications include 

It can be used to enhance biotechnological procedures like wastewater treatment, where oxygen-deprived conditions are common. New bioelectronic sensors that may function effectively in environments without oxygen also can be added soon.