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Photo‐switchable microbial fuel‐cells
Author(s) -
Schlesinger Orr,
Dandela Rambabu,
Bhagat Ashok,
Adepu Raju,
Meijler Michael M.,
Xia Lin,
Alfonta Lital
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.26555
Subject(s) - microbial fuel cell , enzyme , chemistry , alcohol dehydrogenase , electrochemistry , active site , fuel cells , biophysics , chemical energy , nanotechnology , combinatorial chemistry , materials science , chemical engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , electrode , anode , engineering
Regulation of Bio‐systems in a clean, simple, and efficient way is important for the design of smart bio‐interfaces and bioelectronic devices. Light as a non‐invasive mean to control the activity of a protein enables spatial and temporal control far superior to other chemical and physical methods. The ability to regulate the activity of a catalytic enzyme in a biofuel‐cell reduces the waste of resources and energy and turns the fuel‐cell into a smart and more efficient device for power generation. Here we present a microbial‐fuel‐cell based on a surface displayed, photo‐switchable alcohol dehydrogenase. The enzyme was modified near the active site using non‐canonical amino acids and a small photo‐reactive molecule, which enables reversible control of enzymatic activity. Depending on the modification site, the enzyme exhibits reversible behavior upon irradiation with UV and visible light, in both biochemical, and electrochemical assays. The change observed in power output of a microbial fuel cell utilizing the modified enzyme was almost five‐fold, between inactive and active states.