Biocatalysis is a promising tool for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. Escherichia coli is particularly relevant in challenging extraterrestrial applications due to its ease of culturing and manipulation, which effectively addresses the problem of onsite catalyst preparation and regeneration. However, its heterotrophic nature makes its application for the production of organic compounds and fuels questionable. In this “idea”, we will address this challenge by developing an electrode-cell interface that allow us to drive E. coli metabolism electrochemically, thus paving the way for efficient whole-cell biocatalysis. We will develop methods for replacing glucose and other carbon based energy sources with electricity. To achieve this we will design electron transfer pathways for interfacing E. coli with electronics, under conditions compatible for E. coli survival. We will use hydrogenase based H2 production as a test reaction for the electrode-cell interface optimization, as this provides us with a readily detectable product for determining overall system efficiencies. Critically, we will also study the electron transfer mechanism from the electronics to the hydrogenase located inside the living E. coli cells. We believe that this knowledge will be of critical importance as it will enable higher productivity of E. coli based biocatalytic systems. Sustainable H2 production is by itself a relevant target reaction. However, the knowledge gained from this study will also facilitate interfacing electrodes with E. coli strains capable of producing more complex carbon based products, thereby addressing the challenge of sustainable chemical production under extraterrestrial conditions. Our expertise with electrochemical analysis, particularly in probing electron transfer pathways of biomolecules, as well as genetic engineering and whole-cell spectroscopy puts us in a strong position to explore this novel approach.
