Perspectives on Microbial Electron Transfer Networks for Environmental Biotechnology

The overlap of microbiology and electrochemistry provides plenty of opportunities for a deeper understanding of the redox biogeochemical cycle of natural-abundant elements (like iron, nitrogen, and sulfur) on Earth. The electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) mediate electron flows outward the cytomembrane via diverse pathways like multiheme cytochromes, bridging an electronic connection between abiotic and biotic reactions. On an environmental level, decades of research on EAMs and the derived subject termed electromicrobiology provide a rich collection of multidisciplinary knowledge and establish various bioelectrochemical designs for the development of environmental biotechnology. Recent advances suggest that EAMs actually make greater differences on a larger scale, and the metabolism of microbial community and ecological interactions between microbes play a great role in bioremediation processes. In this perspective, we propose the concept of microbial electron transfer network (METN) that demonstrates the species-to-species interactions further and discuss several key questions ranging from cellular modification to microbiome construction. Future research directions including metabolic flux regulation and microbes-materials interactions are also highlighted to advance understanding of METN for the development of next-generation environmental biotechnology.

Automated summary

The overlap of microbiology and electrochemistry provides opportunities for understanding the redox biogeochemical cycle of natural-abundant elements on Earth. Electroactive microorganisms mediate electron flows outward the cytomembrane, bridging an electronic connection between abiotic and biotic reactions. Research on electroactive microorganisms and electromicrobiology has established multidisciplinary knowledge and bioelectrochemical designs for environmental biotechnology. The metabolism of microbial community and ecological interactions between microbes play a significant role in bioremediation processes.