Creating Cytochrome Wires for Sustainable Biotechnology

Proteins containing chains of close-packed heme cofactors are a fascinating class of biomolecular nanowire. Produced by bacteria these cytochrome proteins have evolved to conduct electrons over distances ranging from nanometres to tens of microns. Their properties underpin the production of green electricity by microbial fuel cells and offer exciting prospects for renewable components in emerging electronic technologies. Inspired by these opportunities, this project will work at the interface of biological and physical sciences to enhance the properties of cytochrome wires by equipping them with non-canonical amino acids.
The project builds on our expertise studying the structure and function of cytochrome biowires from Shewanella oneidensis and will make extensive use of genetic-code expansion for the incorporation of non-canonical amino acids.