ETP-EABIOFILMS · Techniques for investigating Electron Transfer Processes in ElectroActive Biofilms

This research will advance our understanding of electron transfer processes in electroactive biofilms (EABs), which are relevant to bioremediation, wastewater treatment, biofuel and biochemical production, microbial fuel cells (MFCs), new sensor development, and control of microbially influenced corrosion. The goal of this 2-year project is to establish an international research and education program that will improve the techniques for investigating electron transfer processes in EABs using microsensors, direct electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry. The central research hypothesis is that microscale processes and biofilm heterogeneity control electron transfer processes in biofilms and these processes can be quantified using microelectrodes, microbial biofilm voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. This project comprises of four research aims and one educational aim. The four research aims can be described as it follows: a)Use of microsensors to correlate biofilm activity & structure with microscale electron transfer processes; b)Spectroelectrochemistry to investigate extracellular electron transfer processes at the interface biofilm-electrode; c)Electrochemical methods for screening of biofilms isolated from metal-rich environments; d)Soil bioremediation through electroactive biofilms. The educational aim is to develop a network of biofilm researchers to train early stage and experienced researchers at an international level on multidisciplinary research.