UWEC CERCA 2025

Comparing the biochemical activity of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 grown in separate medias with La3+ and Ca2+ as cofactors of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH). Recent studies have demonstrated that some enzymes in bacteria isolated from lanthanide-rich areas use lanthanides as metal cofactors in place of more common metals like calcium and that these lanthanide-enzymes have enhanced catalytic properties. The bioelectrocatalytic activity of MDH from M. extorquens grown in La3+ rich media is compared to MDH from M. extorquens grown in typical Ca2+ rich media. A coupled assay of phenazine methosulfate-dichlorophenolindophenol is performed to determine the enzyme activity. Different redox polymer films have been tested to determine the optimal film to immobilize the bacteria while still allowing bioelectrocatalysis to be performed. The bioelectrochemical activities from these bacteria have not previously been compared. If La3+ grown M. extorquens has higher bioelectrochemical activity than Ca2+ grown M. extorquens, then improved biofuel cells and sensors can be created.