Bacterial hair-like extensions appear to be capable of conducting electricity down their length, possibly playing a key role in respiration by allowing the cells to dump electrons at distances far outside the cell.
The results, reported online today (11th October) in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, add to a controversial body of literature about the function of these conductive pili, or "nanowires." "It is the first time in which [researchers] actually measure electron transport along the wires at micrometer distances, [which] make it a biologically relevant process," said microbiologist Gemma Reguera of Michigan State University, who was not involved in the research. "This suggests they could be relevant mode of respiration for bacteria."
"It's an incredibly important finding," agreed microbiologist Derek Lovley of the University of Massachusetts, who also did not participate in the study. "It's fascinating that these microorganisms can make electricity and can get electrons outside ...
