Cisplatin-induced elongation of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cells improves microbe–electrode interactions for use in microbial fuel cells

Here, we present an unusual approach of modifying the growth pattern of electroactive bacteria for improving their communication with electrodes. Cells of a known exoelectrogen, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, were treated with cisplatin, a drug that inhibits cell division but forces the cells to grow longer resulting in a characteristic elongated growth. Such elongated cells showed up to a 5-fold improvement in current densities compared to normal, untreated cells.