Synthetic electro-biotechnology: Bridging electrochemistry with microbiology to push the biotechnology boundaries - Bin Lai (UFZ, Germany)

Mathematics defines the boundaries of biology. In developing a biotechnological process, one of the most fundamental design principles is the conservation of mass and energy. These balances define the stoichiometric limits of carbon and electron partitioning across the product spectrum, thereby constraining achievable product yields and, ultimately, process rates and titers. In this seminar, I will introduce our approach to tackling these intrinsic constraints through a hybrid bioelectrochemical strategy. Specifically, we develop a mediator-based extracellular electron transfer pathway that enables selective targeting and modulation of microbial electron flow. The integration of electrochemistry and microbiology offers a promising solution to partially decouple microbial carbon and electron balances, thereby overcoming the natural upper limits of conventional biotechnology.

Contact: Natale Scaramozzino