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Content archived on 2024-05-28

Starting an electrical conversation between microorganisms and electrodes to achieve bioproduction

Objective

"Electrochemically active bacteria enable a host of novel processes in bioproduction, bioenergy and bioremediation. Key to the success of these processes is effective adherence of the bacterial cells to an electrode surface and subsequent equally effective electron exchange with the electrode. While the cellular mechanisms for electron transfer are increasingly known, what drives bacterial adsorption and desorption to positively or negatively polarized electrodes is largely unknown. Particularly processes driven by cathodes tend to be slow, and suffer from limited microbial adherence and lack of growth of the microorganisms. ELECTROTALK aims at developing a mechanistic understanding of mobility towards and microbial adherence at surfaces, from single cell level to complete biofilm formation. Based on this knowledge, effectively catalyzed bio-electrodes will be developed for novel bioproduction processes. Such bioproduction processes, termed microbial electrosynthesis, are independent of arable land availability, promise high production densities and enable the capture of CO2 or more efficient resource-usage for a range of products. Understanding the nature of the microorganism-electrode interaction will create a window of opportunity to improve this process and achieve effective bioproduction. Moreover, as the electrical interaction directly relates to microbial activity electrodes may serve as a means to start up a conversation with the cells. To achieve our aims we will: (i) select and characterize biocatalysts both as pure cultures and microbial communities; (ii) investigate cell adherence and electron transfer in function of electrode topography and chemistry as well as under different operational conditions; (iii) develop an electrode-microorganism combination achieving effective electron transfer; and (iv) electrochemically construct biofilms with defined structure or stratification."

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2012-StG_20111109
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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

UNIVERSITEIT GENT
EU contribution
€ 1 494 125,60
Address
SINT PIETERSNIEUWSTRAAT 25
9000 GENT
Belgium

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Beneficiaries (1)

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