Multiple logic gates based on reversible electron transfer of self-organized bacterial biofilm

The reversible electron transfer of self-organized microbial biofilm was employed to perform biomolecular logic gate operations. In such a system, catalytic currents could be produced from the oxidation of acetate and reduction of oxygen catalyzed by the self-assemble microbial biofilm. The biocomputing operations were conducted by designing acetate and oxygen as the inputs and electric current as the output. By applying different potentials, different logic operations were achieved from the system, including XOR, AND-OR and OR-AND. The formation of a bacterial biofilm allowed the stability and scalability of this system, which may find applications in monitoring and controlling of wastewater treatment, bioelectricity generation, and bioremediation process.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Constructed logic gates were based on the reversible electron transfer of biofilm. ► Electrochemical output signal was achieved with acetate and O2 as input signals. ► The bacteria-based device could be employed to perform multiple logic operations.