The Electromicrobiology Group at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi investigates electroactive microorganisms and their ability to generate electricity. Our work is dedicated to understanding and utilising the electrical connections that exist between microbes and their surroundings.
About the field of electromicrobiology
Microorganisms can generate an electrical current through a process called extracellular electron transfer. This ability is now understood to be widespread in nature, from environmental microorganisms like Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter metallireducens, to medically-relevant species including Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (sometimes known as "weak electricigens"). Extracellular electron transfer typically occurs when microorganisms pass electrons to a solid electron acceptor such as a metal or electrode. The opposite is also possible in which the microorganism consumes electrons from the metal or electrode, in an act of electrotrophy. Microbial electroactivity has important implications for our understanding of life in the absence of soluble electron acceptors or donors. Electroactive microorganisms can be put to work in numerous ways including powering small devices, electrosynthesis of commodity chemicals, bioremediation and biosensing.
Potential applications and implications of weak electricigens. Image is from our recent publication in Trends in Biotechnology (Cell Press), available here.
Publications
Group research themes
Uncovering the diversity of microbial electroactivity
Enrichment and isolation of novel electroactive microorganisms from various environments
Characterisation of weak electricigens, non-traditional electroactive microbes and the spectrum of microbial electroactivity
Understanding the electrical connections between microbes & their surroundings
Investigation of factors influencing extracellular electron transfer in both pure cultures and mixed species communities using a variety of techniques
Enhancing & applying electroactive microorganisms
Development of novel electrode materials for bioelectrochemical systems
Design of biosensors based on electroactive microbes
Group Members
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Lucinda Elizabeth Doyle
Dr. Lucinda Elizabeth Doyle
Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Debasa Mukherjee
PhD Scholar
Project: Extracellular electron transfer at the extremes: exploring the limits of extracellular electron transfer
Monika Luthra
PhD Scholar
Project: Electroactive India: profiling electrochemically-active microorganisms from across the subcontinent.
Nitesh Kanojia
PhD Scholar
(University of Queensland-IITD Academy of Research)
Project: Investigation of the interface between electrochemically-active microorganisms and metals
UQ Supervisor: Prof. Gordon Southam, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Kshitij Kathait
PhD Scholar
Project: Investigating spin-selective interactions between electroactive microorganisms and their environment
Shriya Grover
PhD Scholar
Project: Towards enhancing electron transfer between electroactive microorganisms and electrodes
Past members
Dr. Kartik Aiyer
Institute Postdoctoral Fellow (I-PDF) 2021-22
Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Electromicrobiology, Aarhus University, Denmark.
About the P.I.
Education
B.Sc. (Hons) Biotechnology
Dublin City University
Ireland
2008 - 2012
Ph.D.
NTU Singapore
2013 - 2017
Positions held
Assistant Professor
DBEB
IIT Delhi
2019 - present
Postdoctoral Researcher
Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering
NTU Singapore
2017 - 2019
Announcements
Contact
PhD / MSR Applicants
Applications for the PhD/MSR programmes in the Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology at IIT Delhi are typically invited twice a year. Those interested may consult the announcements section of the departmental website. Kindly note that admissions are conducted on a departmental basis, and not by individual faculty members.
Prof. Lucinda Elizabeth Doyle
Dept. Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Hauz Khas
New Delhi 110-016
India
Email: lucinda [at] iitd.ac.in
Twitter: @lucindaedoyle
