To new frontiers, Microbiology for nanotechnology and space exploration

Abstract

Bacteria and other microorganisms are known and studied as an essential part of daily life and they are utilized in a variety of fields. This work identifies applications in nanotechnology and space research, using the same bacterium for both: Shewanella oneidensis. The extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanism situated mainly in the cell membrane of Shewanella oneidensis transports electrons, which are produced during its regular metabolic activity, to the outside of the cells. In the presence of certain metal oxides, the bacteria can reduce them while releasing carbon dioxide....