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Filamentous bacteria transport electrons over centimetre distances

Author

Listed:
  • Christian Pfeffer

    (Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University)

  • Steffen Larsen

    (Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University)

  • Jie Song

    (Centre for DNA Nanotechnology (CDNA), Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University)

  • Mingdong Dong

    (Centre for DNA Nanotechnology (CDNA), Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University)

  • Flemming Besenbacher

    (Centre for DNA Nanotechnology (CDNA), Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University)

  • Rikke Louise Meyer

    (Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University
    Centre for DNA Nanotechnology (CDNA), Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University)

  • Kasper Urup Kjeldsen

    (Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University)

  • Lars Schreiber

    (Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University)

  • Yuri A. Gorby

    (University of Southern California)

  • Mohamed Y. El-Naggar

    (University of Southern California)

  • Kar Man Leung

    (University of Southern California
    University of Southern California)

  • Andreas Schramm

    (Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University
    Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University)

  • Nils Risgaard-Petersen

    (Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University)

  • Lars Peter Nielsen

    (Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University
    Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University)

Abstract

Oxygen consumption in marine sediments is often coupled to the oxidation of sulphide generated by degradation of organic matter in deeper, oxygen-free layers. Geochemical observations have shown that this coupling can be mediated by electric currents carried by unidentified electron transporters across centimetre-wide zones. Here we present evidence that the native conductors are long, filamentous bacteria. They abounded in sediment zones with electric currents and along their length they contained strings with distinct properties in accordance with a function as electron transporters. Living, electrical cables add a new dimension to the understanding of interactions in nature and may find use in technology development.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Pfeffer & Steffen Larsen & Jie Song & Mingdong Dong & Flemming Besenbacher & Rikke Louise Meyer & Kasper Urup Kjeldsen & Lars Schreiber & Yuri A. Gorby & Mohamed Y. El-Naggar & Kar Man Leung, 2012. "Filamentous bacteria transport electrons over centimetre distances," Nature, Nature, vol. 491(7423), pages 218-221, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:491:y:2012:i:7423:d:10.1038_nature11586
    DOI: 10.1038/nature11586
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    Cited by:

    1. Rusyn, Iryna, 2021. "Role of microbial community and plant species in performance of plant microbial fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Md Tabish Noori & Dayakar Thatikayala & Booki Min, 2022. "Bioelectrochemical Remediation for the Removal of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminants in Soil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Jesper J. Bjerg & Jamie J. M. Lustermans & Ian P. G. Marshall & Anna J. Mueller & Signe Brokjær & Casper A. Thorup & Paula Tataru & Markus Schmid & Michael Wagner & Lars Peter Nielsen & Andreas Schram, 2023. "Cable bacteria with electric connection to oxygen attract flocks of diverse bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Yanting Zhang & Man Tong & Yuxi Lu & Fengyi Zhao & Peng Zhang & Zhenchen Wan & Ping Li & Songhu Yuan & Yanxin Wang & Andreas Kappler, 2024. "Directional long-distance electron transfer from reduced to oxidized zones in the subsurface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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