To increase the cathodic electron uptake rate of the acetogenic model strain Sporomusa ovata through genetic engineering, by modifying the expression levels of its hydrogenase genes, in order to enhance microbial electrosynthesis (MES) rates.

Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of S. ovata under different growth conditions (cathode, H₂, organic substrate); enzyme kinetics of hydrogenases; genetic engineering to overexpress hydrogenases relevant for MES and delete those that may limit H₂ consumption.

That increasing the expression of specific hydrogenases in S. ovata will accelerate H₂ consumption and thereby increase cathodic electron uptake, overcoming its current limitations in MES activity.

The acetogenic model strain Sporomusa ovata.

Improved understanding of the importance of microbial H2 consumption for MES. Identification of relevant hydrogenases in Sporomusa ovata and the construction of a genetically modified S. ovata strain with enhanced H₂ consumption and MES performance.

Successfully engineering the strain to enhance electron uptake without negative trade-offs, and validating improved MES rates in the modified strain.

UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA (UNL) for the genetic engineering of S. ovata, including overexpression and deletion of targeted hydrogenase genes.