Deciphering electron transfer in microbial communications by in situ chemical imaging
EMSL Project ID
50093
Abstract
We seek to understand how the dynamics of nutrients, metabolites, and solid surface influence microbial processes in the environment. Our overarching hypothesis is that biophysical and biochemical changes at the molecular level translate to cellular biochemical and structural responses and ultimately determine functions of microbial systems in a specific environment. Chemical and metabolic observations corresponding to structural data are needed for mesoscale studies. We aim to address the following science questions: 1) What are the important molecular processes that control ion/electron transport across biological interfaces? and 2) How does nutrient exchange in a complex ecosystem influence molecular processes and microbial functions? We will conduct an integrative analysis of communication among biological subcellular components and multicellular organisms at scales ranging from molecular to several micrometers relevant to ecosystem levels using the unique PNNL analytical instrument, SAVLI (system for analysis at the liquid vacuum interface) coupled with multiple chemical imaging techniques. The portable SALVI platform, developed in EMSL, is suitable for multiple imaging tools such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Using the unique SALVI microfluidic platform, we will examine how spatial heterogeneity in biofilm formation and EPS production influences biofilm dynamics in the mesoscale by imaging live biofilms using multimodal chemical imaging techniques. We will also investigate electron transfer reactions at the interface between the biofilm and the anode electrode to ascertain how potential-dependent current production varies at different development stages of biofilm from single attached cells to a mature, multicellular, three-dimensional structure. More importantly, interspecies electron transfer will be studied dynamically. These results will provide dynamic multiscale understanding of diverse microbial phenomic parameters from living biofilms and underpin integrative predications of dynamic cellular processes and interactions of real-world environments. The multimodal mesoscale imaging results will advance fundamental understandings of molecular processes in Biosystem Dynamics and Terrestrial and Subsurface Ecosystems.
Project Details
Start Date
2017-11-28
End Date
2018-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Artyushkova K., D.R. Mullins, L. Gregoratti, and X. Yu. 2018. "Foreword to special section on “Near Ambient and Synchrotron Surface Analysis (NAXPS)"." Surface and Interface Analysis 50, no. 10:911-912. PNNL-SA-135364. doi:10.1002/sia.6383
Ding Y., Y. Zhou, J. Yao, Y. Xiong, Z. Zhu, and X. Yu. 2019. "Molecular evidence of toxic effect on the biofilm and its matrix." The Analyst 144, no. 8:2498-2503. PNNL-SA-135367. doi:10.1039/C8AN02512F
Zhang F., X. Yu, X. Sui, J. Chen, Z. Zhu, and X. Yu. 2019. "Evolution of aqSOA from the air-liquid interfacial photochemistry of glyoxal and hydroxyl radicals." Environmental Science & Technology 53, no. 17:10236-10245. PNNL-SA-135488. doi:10.1021/acs.est.9b03642