Electrons travel one of two routes in nano-biohybrid systems

Researchers at Cornell University have, for the first time, identified what happens when bacteria receive electrons from quantum dots. Using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with two-photon excitation on a quantum dot and bacteria, the researchers identified a distinct halo surrounding the bacteria, which suggested the charge transfer was receiving some peripheral assistance. It turned out that an electron could either move directly from the quantum dot to the bacterium or be transferred from the bacterium via shuttle molecules. Photosynthetic biohybrids of this sort could potentially convert carbon dioxide into value-added chemical products, such as bioplastics and biofuels, and control other microbial processes.