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

这项研究的目的是开发一个新一代的生物传感器的框架，利用细菌能够转移电子到电极，通过制造新的电极系统，能够研究，定义和操纵这些独特的细菌和电极表面之间的电子转移途径。具体目标包括确定（a）细菌-电极界面处的生物膜电阻，（B）到具有纳米级与微米级表面粗糙度的电极的电子转移速率，以及（c）细菌之间的长程电导。这将允许利用细菌代谢的特异性和多样性的原型传感器的工程设计，同时通过工业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预测细菌膜的电子特性和性能的模型。针对细菌相互作用优化的测试电极将提高研究细菌生物膜时的数据可靠性，并揭示有关微生物电子转移性质的基本信息。这项研究的更广泛影响涉及其改善和降低与电极微生物活性相关的多种应用成本的潜力，包括：生物基设备的环境监测，加速生物修复和可再生能源生产。该项目将涉及多元化（年龄，性别和种族）的劳动力，他们将通过大学研究以及与GOALI的工业合作伙伴的实习在技术转让中发挥关键作用。 将制作关于“绿色”电子产品的教育模块，并将利用公共STEM教育论坛（例如明尼苏达科学博物馆），以面向更广泛和代表性不足的K-12社区团体。

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.