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Updated by Lindumusa Xaba on Apr 23, 2021
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Adopt a Bacterium- Geobacter metallireducens

My adopted bacterium is on Geobacter metallireducens. The reason why I am super fascinated by this bacterium is that it uses electrical energy to breathe, the same way human need oxygen to breathe.

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Geobacter metallireducens

Geobacter metallireducens

Under that Caulobacter-plagued water, the mud hums with power. In the sediments, where oxygen is scant, Geobacter is utilizing electrical energy to breathe. Geobacter species are anaerobic, rod shaped, gram-negative microbes that produce flagella and pili. The genome of Geobacter metallireducens has a chromosome length of 3,997,420 bp. It has a round bacterial chromosome, which means there are no free finishes of DNA. The shape is generally similar to that of an egg.

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Pili network of nanowires to discard electrons

Pili network of nanowires to discard electrons

Actually new for them "air", at that point, is a habitat with loads of disintegrated metals like iron or manganese, or even uranium or plutonium.

On the off chance that they run out of dissolved metals, they have a Plan B. They grow a flagellum and swim around looking for any metal, broken up or strong.

To move their electrons to strong metals, they develop nanowires called pili. At the end of the day, they're electric, rather like Spider-Man's foe Electro – though with a really persuading inspiration.

Metal-breathing organisms are likewise acceptable sharers. Diverse Geobacter species can assemble an organization, permitting them to exchange assets.

For example, one could possibly eat the encompassing supplements, yet have no place to dump its electrons. The other may have nothing to eat, however the correct wires to discard electrons. Together, in a pili network beating with power, they cooperate to remain alive.

Small Things Considered: Geobacter: Microbial Superhero

by Suzanne Winter | If the power of Superman resided solely in his supernatural abilities, then Bruce Wayne’s Batman would never have been able to compete on his level. But when the other factors that superheroes depend upon are accounted for — sidekicks, spandex, sarcasm — both Superman and Batman can claim success in the world of do-goodery…

Microbe That Acts as Natural Nanowire Paves Way for Greener Electronic | designnews.com

Microbiologists have discovered a microbe that acts as a type of natural nanowire and could lead to the development of more sustainable components for electronics

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Bioremediation using G. metallireducens

Bioremediation using G. metallireducens

Geobacter species spend significant time in making electrical contacts with extracellular electron acceptors and different life forms. This grants Geobacter species to fill significant specialties in a variety of anaerobic conditions. Geobacter species have all the earmarks of being the essential specialists for coupling the oxidation of natural mixtures to the decrease of insoluble Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxides in numerous dirt's and dregs, an interaction of worldwide biogeochemical importance. Some Geobacter species can anaerobically oxidize sweet-smelling hydrocarbons and assume a significant part in fragrant hydrocarbon expulsion from defiled springs. The capacity of Geobacter species to reductively accelerate uranium and related foreign substances has prompted the improvement of bioremediation procedures for polluted conditions. Geobacter species produce higher flow densities than some other known organic entity in microbial power modules and are regular colonizers of anodes gathering power from natural squanders and sea-going residue. Direct interspecies electron trade between Geobacter species and syntrophic accomplices gives off an impression of being a significant interaction in anaerobic wastewater digesters

Geobacter: The Microbe Electric's Physiology, Ecology, and Practical Applications - ScienceDirect

Geobacter species produce higher current densities than any other known organism in microbial fuel cells and are common colonizers of electrodes harvesting electricity from organic wastes and aquatic sediments. Direct interspecies electron exchange between Geobacter species and syntrophic partners appears to be an important process in anaerobic wastewater digesters. Functional and comparative genomic studies have begun to reveal important aspects of Geobacter physiology and regulation, but much remains unexplored. Quantifying key gene transcripts and proteins of subsurface Geobacter communities has proven to be a powerful approach to diagnose the in situ physiological status of Geobacter species during groundwater bioremediation. The growth and activity of Geobacter species in the subsurface and their biogeochemical impact under different environmental conditions can be predicted with a systems biology approach in which genome-scale metabolic models are coupled with appropriate physical/chemical models. The proficiency of Geobacter species in transferring electrons to insoluble minerals, electrodes, and possibly other microorganisms can be attributed to their unique “microbial nanowires,” pili that conduct electrons along their length with metallic-like conductivity. Surprisingly, the abundant c-type cytochromes of Geobacter species do not contribute to this long-range electron transport, but cytochromes are important for making the terminal electrical connections with Fe(III) oxides and electrodes and also function as capacitors, storing charge to permit continued respiration when extracellular electron acceptors are temporarily unavailable. The high conductivity of Geobacter pili and biofilms and the ability of biofilms to function as supercapacitors are novel properties that might contribute to the field of bioelectronics. The study of Geobacter species has revealed a remarkable number of microbial physiological properties that had not previously been described in any microorganism. Further investigation of these environmentally relevant and physiologically unique organisms is warranted.

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Derek Lovley

Derek Lovley

The first Geobacter bacterium was distinguished in 1987 by Derek Lovley. The microorganisms were segregated from residue in Washington D.C's. Potomac River. From that point forward, we people have been attempting to utilize Geobacter for our own childish advantage (since that is our specialty best).