Genetic Engineering of a Microbial Chassis for Electrosynthesis and Electrofermentation

With rapidly increasing proliferation and declining costs of renewable energy generation, methods of storing excess electricity become increasingly important. One such method was previously patented by Dr. Derek Lovley and Dr. Kelly Nevin. In their patented method, microorganisms use electricity to convert water and carbon dioxide into multi-carbon chemicals and fuels, akin to the reverse operation of a microbial fuel cell.

This invention builds upon the inventors’ patent. Here, they created a genetically-modified strain of Geobacter sulfurreducens, whose electrical current consumption rate is more than 10x higher than the wild-type strain, greatly enhancing the conversion process. This new strain also provides a platform for producing a wide variety of high-value carbonaceous products previously not possible through this method.

•      Platform technology for converting a waste stream in CO2 to high-value chemical and fuel products

•      Able to use cheap, excess electricity on the grid, largely from renewable resources

•      Greater than 10x enhancement of conversion rate over state-of-the-art

•      Commodity chemicals and fuels

•      Energy storage

•      Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)

Kelly Nevin Lovley, Ph.D., is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Lovley’s primary research focus is the transfer of electrons to current harvesting electrodes by the Geobacter sulfurreducens. She is currently exploring biofilm structure and conductivity, analysis of mutants in electron transport proteins, testing of electrode materials and fuel cell design. The tools currently being used to explore these questions include microarrays, proteomics, confocal laser scanning microscopy, electrochemical, protein and metabolite analyses.