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Characterizing the Composition, Morphology and Reactivity of Bacterial Nanowires using Advanced Scanning Probe Microscopy, MS-Based Proteomics and Scanning Electron Microscopy


EMSL Project ID
25647

Abstract

This project seeks to investigate the composition, morphology and reactivity of electrically conductive appendages known as bacterial nanowires. The research will capitalize on numerous analytical, microscopic and spectroscopic capabilities available at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. Bacterial nanowires were initially identified and partially characterized in the metal reducing bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis [refs]. However, it is now apparent that electrically conductive appendages are common throughout the microbial world and have been detected in organisms ranging from oxygenic, photosynthetic cyanobacteria to thermophilic, methanogenic co-cultures (Gorby et al.) The EMSL is uniquely equipped for investigating the morphology, composition, and reactivity of bacterial nanowires. Results from these investigations are expected to contribute to our understanding of extracellular electron transport with particular focus on nanowires from metal reducing bacteria and other microorganisms relevant to DOE missions.

Project Details

Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2007-06-22
End Date
2008-08-01
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Yuri Gorby
Institution
J. Craig Venter Institute