Electrobiochemistry and whole-cell biocatalysis: Power to value-added products through separated anode/cathode reactions

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Ulf-Peter Apfel; Professor Dr. Lars Lauterbach; Professor Dr. Dirk Tischler
• Subject Area: Biological Process Engineering ; Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry ; Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 536337083

This interdisciplinary research project aims to explore bioelectrochemistry and whole-cell biocatalysis through separated anode/cathode reactions for value-added compound production. For microbial synthesis at the cathode, Escherichia coli will be equipped with modules for efficient methane and molecular hydrogen conversion, enabling the production of bulk and fine chemicals. Protein engineering techniques will be employed to improve electron transfer for efficient electro-driven biocatalysis. The use of H2 as a mediator will be explored to optimize methane conversion and valuable product synthesis. Efficient electro-enzymatic bioconversion of C1 sources at the anode will be achieved through the implementation of an enzyme cascade and electrode engineering. This approach will enable modular enzyme immobilization, effective electron transfer, stability of mediators, and easy product removal. Lipases may also be introduced to enhance system efficiency. To improve redox reactions, the zero-gap electrolyzer technique will be employed along with selective permeable membranes to protect bacteria and valuable products. Extensive characterization of the electrolysis cells using microscopy and imaging techniques will allow us to optimize the composition and conditions of anode and cathode materials. Process design and mathematical modeling will be employed to optimize electrodriven synthesis processes, considering both H2-driven and CO2-fixing production systems. These models will guide the optimization of process parameters, electrode engineering, and microbial/enzymatic electrosynthesis.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2240: Bioelectrochemical and engineering fundamentals to establish electro-biotechnolgy for biosynthesis – Power to value-added products (eBiotech)