Research
The Bioelectrochemistry and Electrobiotechnology Lab focuses on the integration of biomolecules and microorganisms with electrode materials to solve fundamental questions in the study of biological redox processes, as well as the implementation of various biotechnological devices, ranging from energy conversion and storage to biosensing applications.
The Lab is devoted to conducting research in the area of bioelectrochemistry with emphasis on the associated technological applications derived from the integration of biological entities with electrode materials. We focus on the study of microorganisms, as well as isolated redox enzymes and other relevant biomolecules, making use of electrochemistry to fundamentally understand biological redox processes and investigate the performance of the resulting bioelectrochemical devices.
Main research topics:
Bioelectrocatalysis
Bioelectrocatalysis provides access to sustainable and more efficient technological applications. The electrical connection between microorganisms or redox enzymes with an electrode allows a high degree of control of the catalytic reaction. Thus, the catalytic reaction can be triggered simply by adjusting electrochemical parameters, in a so-called bioelectrocatalytic process. The use of biological materials comprised exclusively of earth-abundant elements is a promising alternative to replace the scarce and expensive catalysts based on noble metals or inorganic semiconductors, usually employed in current energy conversion technologies. We work on the integration of microorganisms and isolated redox enzymes with electrode materials with the aim of developing relevant technologies with applications in energy conversion and storage, as well as in the utilization and valorization of waste materials.
Biophotovoltaics
The concept of biophotovoltaics involves the conversion of light energy into electrical energy by taking advantage of the photosynthetic process. Photosynthetic microroganisms and their photoactive protein complexes are attractive building blocks for the fabrication of semi-artificial energy conversion devices. The key challenge is electron extraction from electron transport chains, which can be achieved by coupling with electrodes and redox mediators that facilitate electron transfer. We are devoted to the fundamental understanding of photoelectrochemical processes at the interface between photosynthetic elements and electrodes and to the development of biophotovoltaic devices with improved performance and stability.
Biosensors
Sensors are devices that respond selectively to a particular analyte or class of analytes in a concentration range relevant to a given application. Sensors are of interest to a wide range of fields, such as healthcare, environmental control, process monitoring, and safety, among others. Biosensors are based on the intrinsic selectivity of a biological component that is used as a recognition element for analyte detection. The biorecognition reaction can be coupled to an electrode for transduction and amplification, providing a detectable signal. We work on the development of electrochemical biosensors based mainly on the integration of isolated enzymes with electrodes for various specific applications.
Local electrochemistry
Miniaturized electrochemical probes offer important advantages for analytical purposes. The possibility to perform electrochemical characterizations at the microscale allows local analysis with higher spatial and temporal resolution. Since the probe is substantially smaller in size compared to the sample under investigation, the analysis is performed with low substrate consumption, ensuring minimal invasiveness. Localized analysis provides valuable information in sample characterization and chemical conversions. We develop and use micrometer-sized electrochemical probes to investigate biotic/abiotic interfaces at the micrometer scale. In this way, we achieve a better understanding of biochemical reactions and learn about the influence of local environments imposed on the reaction conditions.
