Understanding and Enhancing Cytochrome Biowires

Proteins containing chains of close-packed heme cofactors are a fascinating class of cytochrome biowire. In electroactive bacteria these proteins have evolved to conduct electrons over distances ranging from nanometres to tens of microns. These properties enable the production of green electricity by microbial fuel cells and offer exciting prospects for renewable components in emerging electronic technologies. The structures of naturally occurring cytochrome biowires also inspire computationally driven de novo protein design. This creates novel cytochromes within modular scaffolds that can be engineered to understand and control electron (energy) transfer and catalysis.

Inspired by these opportunities, in this exciting interdisciplinary project you will work at the interface of biological and physical sciences to understand and enhance the properties of natural and de novo designed cytochrome biowires.

The project builds on our expertise studying metalloproteins and resolving the structure and function of cytochrome biowires from species of Shewanella. Working in an enthusiastic and supportive team you will receive training in state-of-the-art techniques for molecular biology, biochemistry, spectroscopy and electrochemistry. You will make extensive use of protein film electrochemistry to study de novo designed proteins and genetic-code expansion for the incorporation of non-canonical amino acids into Shewanella cytochromes. During the project you will also gain knowledge of and expertise in synthetic biology, chemical biology, biotechnology and green chemistry.