Understanding the mechanisms and functions of exoelectrogenesis in photosynthetic bacteria

PhD project strategic theme: Biosciences for renewable resources and clean growth

Photosynthetic bacteria are able to perform light-driven extracellular electron transfer, referred to as exoelectrogenesis. In the last decade, this process has been successfully exploited for bioelectricity generation in so-called biophotovoltaic devices (BPVs). However, the biochemical pathways and physiological functions that underlie this mechanism remain largely unknown.
Using a combination of bioelectrochemistry, synthetic biology and biophysical approaches, this project aims to analyse how electrons are transferred outside of the cells membranes and what is the role of these extracellular electrons, at both a single-cell and photosynthetic microbial community level. Experiments will be performed to investigate the potential role of exoelectrogenesis as a "relief valve" mechanisms to release excess excitation energy (e.g. in conditions of high light and temperature stress) from single-cells and the possible emerging functions (e.g. intercellular communication) that arise when different exoelectrogenic cells coexist/compete within microbial communities.