Comparative Gene Interaction Analysis of Electron Transfer Pathway for Efficient Power Generation in Microbial Fuel Cell

Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sector 62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201309, India

^* Corresponding author: Dr. Ankisha Vijay, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, JIIT, Noida E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel: +91 120 2594202

Abstract

Exo-electrogenic bacteria possess the unique ability to transfer electrons to external electrodes, making them vital for microbial fuel cell (MFC) operations. This study investigated the genetic mechanisms underlying exo- electrogenic properties in various bacteria, which have significant potential for applications in MFCs. The study focused on targeting the genes responsible for these capabilities and examining the evolutionary relationships among these bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis assists in connecting Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) results with the exo-electrogenic properties of the bacteria. This research delves into the genetic foundations and phylogenetic connections of various exo- electrogenic bacteria. It was found that some genes (pilT, omcA, mtrA, and mtrB) displayed high connectivity, emphasizing their importance in facilitating extracellular electron transport. These genes were primarily found in species such as Shewanella and Geobacter, renowned for their effective exo-electrogenic abilities. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that organisms with these highly interconnected genes produced higher electrical outputs. A functional and gene expression analysis of these genes was also performed using in-silico methods. This study highlights the genetic determinants of bioelectrochemical performance, offering insights for enhancing bacterial strains to boost energy production in microbial fuel cells.