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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

Thanks to all the authors in Chris Howe's, @biophotoelectro.bsky.social and other labs who contributed over the years. Also to the fantastic (and super quick) editors and reviewers whose comments greatly improved the manuscript, as well as the BBSRC and others for funding. (10/10)

Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

This technique (native membrane electrochemistry) combines the interpretability of protein electrochemistry with the complexity of microbial electrochemistry. We envision applications in investigating #bioenergetics, as well as #bioelectricity and #biocatalysis. (9/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

We also identified how wiring membranes to electrodes has inherent advantages in #biohybrid devices for energy conversion. Here we obtain photocurrents at -600 mV vs SHE; ~1V more negative (much higher energy electrons) than is achievable with isolated proteins. (8/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

We also showed how these electrochemical measurements can be coupled to spectroscopy, with parameters from each showing agreement with one another. (7/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

This alone demonstrates that electrochemistry can interrogate complex biological systems, but what can we actually use it for? Here we use the Spike Charge to measure respiratory reduction and oxidation of the #quinone pool (↑Spike Charge = ↑quinone reduction). (6/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

Through many experiments (different inhibitors, mutants, experimental conditions) we could disentangle the different electron transfer pathways within the membranes. This enabled us to create a detailed model of electron transfer between the membranes and the electrode. (5/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

These parameters were dependent on different interfacial electron transfer pathways, shown here by the different effects of photosynthetic inhibitors. This suggested analysis of photocurrents could provide information on different membrane electron transfer pathways! (4/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

These specialised electrodes enabled sensitive measurements of photocurrents, revealing a distinct profile (not observed in previous studies) which was quantified as two parameters: the Spike Charge and the Steady State Photocurrent. (3/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

To analyse bioelectrical pathways, we interfaced thylakoid membranes isolated from #cyanobacteria with structured #electrodes. These #membranes contain a highly complex network of electron transfer, including electron transport chains for #photosynthesis and #respiration. (2/10)

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 21

Our latest paper is out now in @jacs.acspublications.org . In this study we tried to push the limits of #electrochemistry beyond proteins, to studying entire pathways of biological electron transfer ⚡️🦠. Here's a summary 🧵 (1/10)

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Dissecting Bioelectrical Networks in Photosynthetic Membranes with Electrochemistry

Photosynthetic membranes contain complex networks of redox proteins and molecules, which direct electrons along various energy-to-chemical interconversion reactions important for sustaining life on Ea...

pubs.acs.org

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Reposted by Josh Lawrence

Leonid Digel @leodigel.bsky.social · Jul 4

Out now! Simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic respiration enabled via extracellular electron transfer. Meet Microbacterium deferre A1-JK.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Iron reduction under oxic conditions by Microbacterium deferre sp. nov. A1-JKT - Nature Communications

In this study, the authors show that Microbacterium deferre A1-JK, a newly isolated Gram-positive bacterium, simultaneously reduces oxygen and iron under oxic conditions, revealing unexpected microbia...

www.nature.com

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Josh Lawrence @jmlawrence.bsky.social · Mar 25

Was great to be part of this study headed up by @scaralbi.bsky.social. We are very excited by the finding that chromosomal polyploidy could be an important driver in the #evolution of #cyanobacteria and other prokaryotes. 🧬🦠

Cambridge Biochemistry @cambiochem.bsky.social · Mar 25

A paper published in @currentbiology.bsky.social by @scaralbi.bsky.social and colleagues in the Howe Group adds significantly to our understanding of bacterial evolution by showing how #cyanobacteria can rapidly develop resistance to a #herbicide. Read more: www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/news/howe-gr...