Hello! We're the Manhattan College iGEM Team!
We are undergrads with different backgrounds, but one common interest in the field of synthetic biology. We spent our summer working on making biological fuel cells more efficient at producing energy with the use of E. coli. Basically, we're making a BACTERY!
How to Produce Lots of Electricity Using a Biological Fuel Cell?
Presented by Manhattan iGEM
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Introduction
Synthetic biology utilizes concepts in engineering and mathematical modeling to design ways in which to genetically manipulate biological system in order to alter or create unique physiological pathways. DNA serves as the functional units in the architecture of improved blueprints of existing organisms.
An enzymatic biofuel cell is a type of biochemical cell that uses catalysts, specifically enzymes, to oxidize its fuel, in this case, glucose. In this project glucose oxidase from aspergillus niger is required at the anode, which is the cell in which oxidation occurs. The enzyme makes 24 electrons
E.coli Gone Electric: Glucose Oxidase Based Anodic Catalyst Mediated by Gold Nanowires for High Performance Microbial Fuel Cell Background: Energy has become a necessity to sustain our society and to further its advancement. The depletion of fossil fuels and the need for clean electricity production has called attention to biofuel cells which convert chemical energy into electrical energy by electro enzymatic reactions. This source of energy is sustainable, renewable, and does not emit CO2. Conventional fuel cells are generally cost-ineffective in regards to energy production. In addition, once one of the active masses in a conventional fuel cell is fully consumed, the current-producing reaction ceases.
Background: Energy has become a necessity to sustain our society and to further its advancement. The depletion of fossil fuels and the need for clean electricity production has called attention to biofuel cells which convert chemical energy into electrical energy by electro enzymatic reactions. This source of energy is sustainable, renewable, and does not emit CO2. Conventional fuel cells are generally cost-ineffective in regards to energy production. In addition, once one of the active masses in a conventional fuel cell is fully consumed, the current-producing reaction ceases.
Our goal is to design an environmentally friendly, and efficient bioanode that will maximize electron shuttling using various glucose oxidase mutants derived from aspergillus niger. Additionally, we will try to take MtrCAB operons from shewanella to make E.coli electric in the presence of an anode with nanowires adhered to it which will connect to the shewanella nanowires. Increasing the efficiency of the overall biofuel cell will allow for many advances in the field of medicine, and technology. Biofuel cells can be used as portable power sources for miniaturized electronics, as well as self power implanted medical devices to improve health. For future research we hope to make this biofuel cell solar, cost effective, and to make clean energy a reality for all.
