Stanford scientists discover how microbes acquire electricity in making methane

[OKIsItJustMe]

https://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/may/methanogen-electricity-spormann-051815.html

[font face=Serif]Stanford Report, May 18, 2015

[font size=5]Stanford scientists discover how microbes acquire electricity in making methane[/font]

[font size=4]New findings by Stanford engineering Professor Alfred Spormann and colleagues could pave the way for microbial "factories" that produce renewable biofuels and chemicals.[/font]

By Mark Shwartz

Colonies of microbes produce methane gas and other compounds in the lab of Stanford Professor Alfred Spormann. The research goal is to create large microbial factories that convert electricity and carbon dioxide into renewable biofuels and chemicals.

[font size=3]Stanford University scientists have solved a long-standing mystery about methanogens, unique microorganisms that transform electricity and carbon dioxide into methane.

In a new study, the Stanford team demonstrates for the first time how methanogens obtain electrons from solid surfaces. The discovery could help scientists design electrodes for microbial "factories" that produce methane gas and other compounds sustainably.

"There are several hypotheses to explain how electrons get from an electrode into a methanogen cell," said Stanford postdoctoral scholar Jörg Deutzmann, lead author of the study. "We are the first group to identify the actual mechanism."

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00496-15

[daleanime]

1. K&R.....

Take any hopeful news where ever I can.

[Bill USA]

2. Fascinating!