Click-to-Connect Cytochromes: Modular Components for Sustainable Electrical Circuits (BUTT_U27DTP)

This exciting project will engineer cytochromes for site-selective covalent linkage to multiple redox partners and electrodes thereby delivering proof-of-principle for novel electronic circuitry.

Harnessing redox-active proteins as an abundant and tuneable source of conductive molecules presents an attractive route to meet the need for sustainable electronic components. Multiheme cytochromes produced by electric bacteria are particularly attractive for this purpose because they are spanned by close-packed chains of redox-active heme cofactors. We have previously demonstrated that such proteins can be engineered to sit between two electrodes and conduct electrons between them.

Building on our success, this project will use site-specific mutagenesis to create novel cytochromes that extend the opportunities to form protein based electrical circuitry. That mutagenesis will introduce natural and non-canonical amino acids to allow site-selective conjugation of multiple cytochromes in novel conductive configurations.

The project will use site-specific mutagenesis, protein purification, protein engineering, spectroscopy, and dynamic electrochemistry. Working in an enthusiastic and supportive team the successful applicant will become expert in state-of-the-art protein engineering, biochemistry and biophysics. They will also expand their knowledge of synthetic biology and green chemistry, and benefit from opportunities to participate in national and international conferences.
Informal enquiries are encouraged, please contact Professor Julea Butt (j.butt@uea.ac.uk) for further information.