Researchers have identified a new species of cable bacteria with remarkable electrical properties, potentially opening the door to a new generation of bioelectronic devices for applications in medicine, environmental monitoring, industrial processes, and food safety.
Discovered in the intertidal mudflats of Oregon's Yaquina Bay, the species has been named Candidatus Electrothrix yaqonensis in honor of the Yaqona people, the Indigenous inhabitants of the region. The research appears in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Cheng Li, a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University (OSU) during the study, and Clare Reimers, distinguished professor emerita in OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, identified the species from sediment samples taken in the Yaquina Bay estuary.
Cable bacteria are long, filamentous organisms composed of rod-shaped cells joined end-to-end, forming structures capable of conducting electricity—an unusual trait for bacteria. This electrical conductivity enables them to optimize their metabolism within sediment environments, transferring electrons over considerable distances.
The newly discovered species exhibits a unique combination of genetic and metabolic traits from both known cable bacteria genera: Candidatus Electrothrix and Candidatus Electronema. Its distinct surface structure features ridges up to three times wider than those seen in other species, housing highly conductive fibers composed of nickel-based molecules.
“This species appears to be an early evolutionary branch within the Ca. Electrothrix group,” Li explained. “Its metabolic potential and structural features make it stand out, and they could help us better understand how these bacteria evolved and how they function in various environments.”
The bacterium’s highly conductive fibers allow it to perform long-distance electron transport, linking electron donors like sulfide in deeper sediment layers with electron acceptors such as oxygen or nitrate near the surface. This ability plays a key role in sediment chemistry and nutrient cycling.
“These bacteria can help clean up pollutants by transferring electrons to break down harmful substances,” Li said. “Their natural design, especially the conductive nickel proteins, could also inspire new materials for bioelectronic technologies.”
Cable bacteria are found in a range of environments, both freshwater and marine, and can survive under diverse climate conditions. Their ecological versatility and unique electrical properties make them especially interesting for researchers exploring sustainable technologies.
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The name Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis pays tribute to the Yaqona people, whose traditional lands include Yaquina Bay. The researchers collaborated with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, which includes Yaqona descendants, to select the name.
“Recognizing the Yaqona people in the naming of this bacterium honors their deep connection to this land and acknowledges their contributions to ecological understanding and environmental stewardship,” Li said.
The research was conducted in collaboration with scientists from the University of Antwerp, Delft University of Technology, and the University of Vienna.
