Protein Nanowires: the Electrification of the Microbial World and Maybe Our Own
Derek R. Lovley, Dawn E. Holmes
Abstract
Electrically conductive protein nanowires appear to be widespread in the microbial world and are a revolutionary “green” material for the fabrication of electronic devices. Electrically conductive pili (e-pili) assembled from type IV pilin monomers have independently evolved multiple times in microbial history as have electrically conductive archaella (e-archaella) assembled from homologous archaellin monomers. A role for e-pili in long-range (micrometer) extracellular electron transport has been demonstrated in some microbes.
Topics & Concepts
PilusPilinBiologyNanowireElectrical conductorExtracellularMonomerNanotechnologyElectrically conductiveMaterials scienceBiophysicsCell biologyBiochemistryOptoelectronicsPolymerGeneComposite materialVirulenceMicrobial Fuel Cells and BioremediationElectrochemical sensors and biosensorsSupercapacitor Materials and Fabrication