The role of Geobacter sulfurreducens and Geobacter species in sustainable development.

Abstract

Geobacter sulfurreducens is a model electroactive bacterium whose remarkable extracellular electron transfer capabilities bridge microbiology, materials science, and sustainability. Over the past two decades, its metabolism has been harnessed for clean energy generation, wastewater treatment, and the development of environmentally friendly electronic materials. Its metabolic versatility aligns with multiple of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In environmental systems, Geobacter reduces toxic and radioactive metals to insoluble, stable forms, detoxifies organic pollutants, and mitigates methane emissions in anoxic soils, contributing to climate action and water quality (SDGs 6 and 13). At the materials frontier, Geobacter produces conductive protein nanowires that enable biological electronics and biosensors, opening new avenues for biodegradable, renewable electronic devices (SDGs 7 and 9). Moreover, its redox machinery allows ambient-temperature synthesis of catalysts, including single-atom and nanocluster metals, offering green alternatives to conventional high-energy synthesis processes (SDG 12). Taken together, G. sulfurreducens exemplifies how microbial metabolism can be engineered toward circular bioeconomy solutions that integrate pollution control, energy recovery, and material innovation. As research advances, this organism continues to define a new paradigm of "sustainable microbiology," in which living systems serve as platforms for next-generation green technologies.