STTR Phase II: Engineering Geobacter for Enhanced Electricity Production

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project aims to develop commercially viable bacterial strains (Geobacter sulfurreducens) for use as biocatalysts in microbial fuel cells. The research genetically manipulates these bacteria to enable the utilization of alternative substrates and increase current generation through the expression of an energy consuming futile cycle. The rates will be increased and alternative cheaper substrates utilized during this project. The broader impact of this research will result in development of novel microbial fuel cells that can convert renewable resources such as biomass and agricultural wastes to electrical energy in an efficient fashion with varied commercial applications. Additionally, innovative the metabolic engineering strategy that is developed could be applied to other industrially relevant microorganisms. In addition, there are significant societal and educational components of this program. One example would be a microbial fuel cell that harnesses electricity from organic waste can be valuable in electrifying remote rural communities in developing countries by decentralizing power generation while protecting the environment.