GOALI: Development of a New Generation of Sensors based on Metal/Bacteria Interfaces

本研究的目的是通过制造能够研究、定义和操纵这些独特细菌和电极表面之间电子转移途径的新型电极系统，为利用能够将电子转移到电极上的细菌开发新一代生物传感器框架。具体目标包括确定(a)细菌-电极界面的生物膜电阻，(b)纳米与微尺度表面粗糙度电极的电子转移率，以及(c)细菌之间的远程电导。这将允许利用细菌代谢的特异性和多样性来设计原型传感器，同时通过工业合作伙伴关系利用低成本的制造方法。这项研究的智力价值在于开发了预测细菌薄膜电子特性和性能的模型。优化细菌相互作用的测试电极将提高研究细菌生物膜时数据的可靠性，并揭示微生物电子转移性质的基本信息。这项研究的更广泛影响包括其改善和降低与电极上微生物活性相关的多种应用成本的潜力，包括；利用生物基设备进行环境监测、加速生物修复和可再生能源生产。该项目将涉及不同（年龄，性别和种族）的劳动力，他们将通过大学研究以及与该目标的工业合作伙伴的实习在技术转让中发挥关键作用。“绿色”电子产品的教育模块将被生成，公共STEM教育论坛（例如明尼苏达科学博物馆）将被用来针对更广泛和代表性不足的K-12社区群体。

The objective of this research is to develop a framework for a new generation of bio-sensors harnessing bacteria able to transfer electrons to electrodes, by fabricating novel electrode systems able to study, define, and manipulate the pathway of electron transfer between these unique bacteria and electrode surfaces. Specific aims include determination of (a) biofilm resistance at bacteria-electrode interfaces, (b) electron transfer rates to electrodes with nano- versus microscale surface roughness, and (c) long-range conductance between bacteria. This will allow engineering of prototype sensors that exploit the specificity and diversity of bacterial metabolism, while utilizing lower-cost fabrication approaches through industrial partnerships.The intellectual Merit of this research is in the development of models predicting electronic properties and performance of bacterial films. Test electrodes optimized for bacterial interactions will improve data reliability when studying bacterial biofilms, and reveal fundamental information about the nature of microbial electron transfer. The Broader Impact of this research involves its potential to improve and reduce the cost of multiple applications related to microbial activity at electrodes, including; environmental monitoring with bio-based devices, accelerated bioremediation, and renewable energy production. This project will involve a diverse (age, gender, and ethnicity) workforce who will play a key role in technology transfer through university research as well as internships with this GOALI's industrial partner. Educational modules on "green" electronics will be generated, and public STEM education forums (e.g. Science Museum of Minnesota) will be used to target broader and under-represented K-12 community groups.