Question 1

What is the main aim of the project?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What are the key methodologies and experimental approaches being used?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

What specific hypothesis is being tested?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What type(s) of culture or model systems will be used to test the hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

The acetogenic model strain Sporomusa ovata.

Question 5

What are the expected outcomes of the research?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What are the main challenges or risks associated with the project?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Who are the key collaborators involved?

Accepted Answer

UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA (https://www.itqb.unl.pt/)(U(https://www.itqb.unl.pt/)NL) (https://www.itqb.unl.pt/)for the genetic engineering of S. ovata, including overexpression and deletion of targeted hydrogenase genes.

DC2

THE SUPERVISORS

THE CANDIDATE