Long-Distance Electron Transfers of Cable Bacteria and Their Potential Environmental Applications
Wolman Seminar
Long-Distance Electron Transfers of Cable Bacteria and Their Potential Environmental Applications
October 22 @ 3 P.M.
Hybrid: Homewood Campus, Shaffer Hall 302 & via Zoom
Register
Cheng Li, PhD, Assistant Professor
College of Integrated Science & Engineering
James Madison University
ABSTRACT: Cable bacteria, filamentous microorganisms capable of long-distance electron transfer (LDET), have emerged as a fascinating subject of study in recent years. These bacteria create electrical currents that span centimeter-scale distances in marine and freshwater sediments, effectively coupling anaerobic and aerobic processes. This talk will provide an overview of the fundamental mechanisms behind LDET in cable bacteria, focusing on their unique conductive filaments and the electrochemical gradients they establish in their environments. We will explore the ecological roles of cable bacteria in natural sedimentary systems, including their contributions to biogeochemical cycling, organic matter degradation, and sulfide detoxification. Additionally, the talk will highlight potential environmental applications of cable bacteria, such as their role in the bioremediation of contaminated sediments and their integration into bioenergy production systems like microbial fuel cells (MFCs). By understanding the full potential of cable bacteria, we can explore new approaches to environmental biotechnology that harness their unique electron transfer properties for real-world challenges.
