We have clarified the electron transfer mechanism by combining electrochemical analysis of bacteria with spectroscopic analysis and biochemical analysis of genomes, proteins, and gene expression. For example, we demonstrated that iron-

corroding bacteria biosynthesize membrane-spanning cytochrome complexes and metallic iron sulfide nanoparticles to extract electrons from electrodes directly.

Our original high-throughput electrochemical measurement system makes it possible to accelerate electrochemical measurement 100~1000 times faster than conventional technology to construct a database. By applying data science, we identify factors that promote or inhibit microbial current generation (applied voltage, the concentration of redox molecules, etc.) and search for available redox molecules that promote current generation.

Electric bacteria provide benefits such as power generation and material synthesis when used as electrocatalysts but also mediate reactions that are harmful to us in the environment and the human body. For example, iron-corrosion bacteria accelerate anaerobic iron corrosion by directly extracting electrons from iron, causing enormous economic losses and environmental pollution due to pipeline accidents. Understanding and controlling the electron uptake mechanism of iron corroding bacteria will lead to the development of materials and corrosion sensors that can delay anaerobic iron corrosion. Our research has also revealed the electrogenic properties of various pathogenic bacteria, and we are developing technologies to detect and inhibit bacterial activity by electricity.