October 21, 2025 • 7 mins
Researchers have discovered that *Escherichia coli*, a common bacterium, can generate electricity by transferring electrons to external surfaces using a molecule derived from henna. This unexpected metabolic pathway, previously unknown in E. coli, opens doors for new bioenergy technologies and a deeper understanding of microbial life in the gut and beyond.
Read the full article at
Read the full article at
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the paper Leap podcast, where a science takes
the mic. Each episode, we discuss cutting edge research, groundbreaking discoveries,
and the incredible people behind them, across disciplines and across
the world. Whether you're a curious mind, a researcher, or
just love learning, you're in the right place. Before we start.
(00:21):
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an insight.
All the content is also available on paperleap dot com. Okay, ready,
let's start. Most of us first meet Escherichia coli ecoli
in a high school biology class, usually as a friendly
lab organism, or, in less happy circumstances, as the culprit
(00:45):
behind food poisoning. But what if I told you this
unassuming microbe has a secret superpower. It can literally breathe electricity.
That's the surprising discovery reported and sell by a team
of researchers from Rice University, the University of California, San Diego,
and the Technical University of Denmark. The paper titled Extracellular
(01:11):
respiration is a latent energy metabolism in Escherichia Coli reveals
that E. Coli long thought to rely only on fermentation
when oxygen is scarce, can actually survive and grow by
sending its metabolic waste electrons straight into a wire. This
(01:32):
discovery could reshape how we think about microbial life, renewable energy,
and even our own gut microbiome. Every living thing has
to find a way to dispose of electrons, the byproducts
of breaking down food for energy. For us, oxygen does
the job nicely. When we breathe oxygen, molecules accept those electrons,
(01:55):
letting ourselves keep running. Microbes, however, are more. Some bacteria
can breathe not just oxygen, but also nitrate, sulfate, or
even iron minerals in the soil. A few unusual species,
like Schwaniela and Geobacter go step further. They can push
(02:17):
their electrons onto solid surfaces outside the cell, a process
called extracellular electron transfer or EET in nature. This lets
them survive in oxygen free mud by using rocks or
metals as their lungs. In the lab, it means they
can power tiny microbial batteries. E Colide, by contrast, has
(02:41):
always been classified as a non electric bacterium under oxygen
free conditions. It was assumed to rely on fermentation in
an efficient process that leaves its sluggish compared to its
electroactive cousins, but the new study shows that the assumption
was wrong. The research team focused on a chemical called
(03:04):
hydroxy one four naphthoquinone HNQ. This molecule, also known as
lassin it's the pigment that gives henna its dying power,
can act like a shuttle, carrying electrons from inside the
cell to an external surface. The scientists found that when E.
(03:24):
Coli was given H and Q and connected to an electrode,
the bacteria started behaving like natural electric breathers. Using a
mix of genetic editing and electrochemical monitoring, they trace the
process to two enzymes inside the cell, nitro reductases n
(03:44):
fs A and nitro reductases and FSB. These enzymes, normally
thought of as general detoxifiers, turned out to be excellent
at reducing hnq. In simple terms, they could handle of
electrons to the shuttle, which then delivered them to the
outside world. Even more surprising, E Coli quickly adapted to
(04:09):
make the process more efficient. After a short evolutionary trial,
the bacteria repeatedly developed the same tiny mutation in a
membrane protein called ump C, which improved their ability to
interact with the electrode. With that tweak, the microbes were
actually growing using the electrode as their only source of
(04:31):
electron disposal. In other words, E. Coli had unlocked a
whole new way to live. The discovery shows that Ecoli
has a latent energy metabolism that had gone unnoticed. It
doesn't need oxygen, nitride, or fermentation. It can grow using
electricity itself as the sinc free electrons. This suggests other
(04:54):
bacteria may also be hiding untapped energy pathways waiting to
be uncovered. Microbes that can plug into electrodes have long
been studied for microbial fuel cells, tiny biological batteries, and
waste to energy systems, but most naturally electric bacteria are
slow growing and tricky to engineer. Ecoli, by contrast, is
(05:17):
the lab rat of biotechnology, easy to manipulate, fast growing,
and already central to industries from insulin production to biofuels.
If we can harness its electric mode, we might build
more efficient bioreactors, bioelectronic sensors, or even living circuits. The
(05:37):
human gut is low in oxygen, forcing microbes there to
get creative with their energy. The study hints that ecolie
and its relatives might use molecules like H and Q
in the gut environment, transferring electrons to other compounds or
even to neighboring microbes. Understanding this could reshape our view
(05:58):
of the microbiomes role in health, and on a bigger scale,
it raises questions about microbial survival strategies in soil, sediments
or even extraterrestrial environments. The authors end their paper with
the provocative idea, perhaps we should think of metabolism not
just as a flow of carbon, but as a flow
(06:20):
of electrons. Just as rivers carve landscapes, electron streams shape
the possibilities for life. By uncovering how ecolides taps into
external electron highways, the study adds a new piece to
that picture. It also gives scientists a roadmap for exploring
similar processes in other microbes, and even for designing synthetic
(06:44):
organisms that can seamlessly connect with electronics. Imagine probiotic pills
that power medical sensors or wastewater treatment plants where bacteria
both clean and generate electricity. It's delightful that the key
to this discovery was a humble pigment from Hennah a
plant dye used for centuries in body art. Who would
(07:07):
have guessed that the same molecule responsible for swirling wedding
patterns on hands could also reveal a hidden electric life
in bacteria. That's it for this episode of the paper
Leap podcast. If you found it thought provoking, fascinating, or
just informative, share it with the fellow science nerd. For
(07:29):
more research highlights and full articles, visit paperleaf dot com.
Also make sure to subscribe to the podcast. We've got
plenty more discoveries to unpact. Until next time, Keep questioning,
keep learning,
Welcome to the paper Leap podcast, where a science takes
the mic. Each episode, we discuss cutting edge research, groundbreaking discoveries,
and the incredible people behind them, across disciplines and across
the world. Whether you're a curious mind, a researcher, or
just love learning, you're in the right place. Before we start.
(00:21):
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an insight.
All the content is also available on paperleap dot com. Okay, ready,
let's start. Most of us first meet Escherichia coli ecoli
in a high school biology class, usually as a friendly
lab organism, or, in less happy circumstances, as the culprit
(00:45):
behind food poisoning. But what if I told you this
unassuming microbe has a secret superpower. It can literally breathe electricity.
That's the surprising discovery reported and sell by a team
of researchers from Rice University, the University of California, San Diego,
and the Technical University of Denmark. The paper titled Extracellular
(01:11):
respiration is a latent energy metabolism in Escherichia Coli reveals
that E. Coli long thought to rely only on fermentation
when oxygen is scarce, can actually survive and grow by
sending its metabolic waste electrons straight into a wire. This
(01:32):
discovery could reshape how we think about microbial life, renewable energy,
and even our own gut microbiome. Every living thing has
to find a way to dispose of electrons, the byproducts
of breaking down food for energy. For us, oxygen does
the job nicely. When we breathe oxygen, molecules accept those electrons,
(01:55):
letting ourselves keep running. Microbes, however, are more. Some bacteria
can breathe not just oxygen, but also nitrate, sulfate, or
even iron minerals in the soil. A few unusual species,
like Schwaniela and Geobacter go step further. They can push
(02:17):
their electrons onto solid surfaces outside the cell, a process
called extracellular electron transfer or EET in nature. This lets
them survive in oxygen free mud by using rocks or
metals as their lungs. In the lab, it means they
can power tiny microbial batteries. E Colide, by contrast, has
(02:41):
always been classified as a non electric bacterium under oxygen
free conditions. It was assumed to rely on fermentation in
an efficient process that leaves its sluggish compared to its
electroactive cousins, but the new study shows that the assumption
was wrong. The research team focused on a chemical called
(03:04):
hydroxy one four naphthoquinone HNQ. This molecule, also known as
lassin it's the pigment that gives henna its dying power,
can act like a shuttle, carrying electrons from inside the
cell to an external surface. The scientists found that when E.
(03:24):
Coli was given H and Q and connected to an electrode,
the bacteria started behaving like natural electric breathers. Using a
mix of genetic editing and electrochemical monitoring, they trace the
process to two enzymes inside the cell, nitro reductases n
(03:44):
fs A and nitro reductases and FSB. These enzymes, normally
thought of as general detoxifiers, turned out to be excellent
at reducing hnq. In simple terms, they could handle of
electrons to the shuttle, which then delivered them to the
outside world. Even more surprising, E Coli quickly adapted to
(04:09):
make the process more efficient. After a short evolutionary trial,
the bacteria repeatedly developed the same tiny mutation in a
membrane protein called ump C, which improved their ability to
interact with the electrode. With that tweak, the microbes were
actually growing using the electrode as their only source of
(04:31):
electron disposal. In other words, E. Coli had unlocked a
whole new way to live. The discovery shows that Ecoli
has a latent energy metabolism that had gone unnoticed. It
doesn't need oxygen, nitride, or fermentation. It can grow using
electricity itself as the sinc free electrons. This suggests other
(04:54):
bacteria may also be hiding untapped energy pathways waiting to
be uncovered. Microbes that can plug into electrodes have long
been studied for microbial fuel cells, tiny biological batteries, and
waste to energy systems, but most naturally electric bacteria are
slow growing and tricky to engineer. Ecoli, by contrast, is
(05:17):
the lab rat of biotechnology, easy to manipulate, fast growing,
and already central to industries from insulin production to biofuels.
If we can harness its electric mode, we might build
more efficient bioreactors, bioelectronic sensors, or even living circuits. The
(05:37):
human gut is low in oxygen, forcing microbes there to
get creative with their energy. The study hints that ecolie
and its relatives might use molecules like H and Q
in the gut environment, transferring electrons to other compounds or
even to neighboring microbes. Understanding this could reshape our view
(05:58):
of the microbiomes role in health, and on a bigger scale,
it raises questions about microbial survival strategies in soil, sediments
or even extraterrestrial environments. The authors end their paper with
the provocative idea, perhaps we should think of metabolism not
just as a flow of carbon, but as a flow
(06:20):
of electrons. Just as rivers carve landscapes, electron streams shape
the possibilities for life. By uncovering how ecolides taps into
external electron highways, the study adds a new piece to
that picture. It also gives scientists a roadmap for exploring
similar processes in other microbes, and even for designing synthetic
(06:44):
organisms that can seamlessly connect with electronics. Imagine probiotic pills
that power medical sensors or wastewater treatment plants where bacteria
both clean and generate electricity. It's delightful that the key
to this discovery was a humble pigment from Hennah a
plant dye used for centuries in body art. Who would
(07:07):
have guessed that the same molecule responsible for swirling wedding
patterns on hands could also reveal a hidden electric life
in bacteria. That's it for this episode of the paper
Leap podcast. If you found it thought provoking, fascinating, or
just informative, share it with the fellow science nerd. For
(07:29):
more research highlights and full articles, visit paperleaf dot com.
Also make sure to subscribe to the podcast. We've got
plenty more discoveries to unpact. Until next time, Keep questioning,
keep learning,
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.