Microbes, methods, and devices for redox-imbalanced metabolism

A device comprising:

• an electrode;
• and
• at least one microbe in electron communication with the electrode and genetically modified to exhibit increased activity, compared to a wild-type control, of at least one enzyme that catalyzes electron flux across the microbe's outer membrane.

A method comprising:

• providing a substrate to a microbe under conditions effective for the microbe to metabolize the substrate to a redox imbalanced product;
• wherein at least one microbe is in electron communication with an electrode and metabolic conversion of the substrate to the redox imbalanced product comprises transferring electrons between the electrode and the microbe.

A method comprising:

• providing a substrate to a microbe under conditions effective for the microbe to metabolize the substrate to a redox imbalanced product;
• wherein at least one microbe is in electron communication with an electrode and metabolic conversion of the substrate to the redox imbalanced product exhibits a carbon flux from organic substrate to organic product of at least 80%.

A genetically modified Shewanella oneidensis comprising:

• a Shewanella oneidensis microbe genetically modified to exhibit increased activity, compared to a wild-type control, of at least one enzyme that catalyzes a metabolic step converting a substrate to a redox-imbalanced pathway product.

A genetically modified Escherichia coli comprising:

• an Escherichia coli microbe genetically modified to exhibit increased activity, compared to a wild-type control, of at least one enzyme that catalyzes electron flux across the microbe's outer membrane.