Electrobiotechnology
Research Topics
- Development and engineering of electrobiorefineries
- Interfacing microbial and electrochemical synthesis for sustainble chemistry
- Energetics of electroactive microorganisms and microbial electrochemical systems
- Study of the microbial ecology of electroactive microbial cultures
- Development of electrobioreactors as well as new methods and protocols in the field
- Fancy ad hoc projects (related to microbiology and/ or electrochemistry)
Part of a vibrant international community
Team-leaders
Dr. Benjamin Korth
Deputy group leader and team-leader
Thermodynamics of electroactive microorganisms
Dr. Paniz Izadi
Team leader
Bio ǀ electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion
Scientists
Dr. Katharina Röhring
(part-time)
Dr. Matthias Schmidt
Dr. Manish Kumar
Dr. Nate Woon Jie Ang
PhD Students
Shabnam Pouresmaeil (DBFZ)
Yvonne Schößow
Aykut Kas
Alicia Mier-Jimenez (placed in lab of Dr. Bin Lai)
Lea Seibert
(jointly with Dr. Rohan Karande at Leipzig University)
Mansi Saich
in
SmartManure
John O. Gath
Technicians
Anne Kuchenbuch
Cornelia Dilßner
Undergraduates & Guests
Susanne Stenz (Leipzig University, Student assistant)
Gustav Dönges (Leipzig University, Student assistant)
Max Pohl (Leipzig University, Student assistant, ISMET9 conference chair assistant)
Index:
You could use our publication index for further requests.
2025 (4)
- Izadi, P., Korth, B., Harnisch, F. (2025):
On assessing the energy efficiency of bioelectrochemical systems for cathodic synthesis and remediation
J. Power Sources 652 , art. 237631 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.237631 - Röhring, K., Harnisch, F. (2025):
3D-printed add-on allows using commercially available rotating disc electrodes in tilted position
Electrochem. Commun. 170 , art. 107854 10.1016/j.elecom.2024.107854 - Tüllinghoff, A., Sträuber, H., Baleeiro, F.C.F., Aurich, A., Chávez Morejón, M., Meisel, K., Cyffka, K.-F., Harnisch, F., Bühler, K., Thrän, D. (2025):
Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany
Biotechnol. Biofuels Bioprod. 18 , art. 69 10.1186/s13068-025-02673-y - Ul, Z, Sulonen, M., Haus, P., Izadi, P., Baeza, J.A., Harnisch, F., Guisasola, A. (2025):
Evaluation of single chamber electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate for application under biocompatible conditions
J. CO2 Util. 97 , art. 103136 10.1016/j.jcou.2025.103136
2024 (18)
- Angenent, L.T., Casini, I., Schröder, U., Harnisch, F., Molitor, B. (2024):
Electrical-energy storage into chemical-energy carriers by combining or integrating electrochemistry and biology
Energy Environ. Sci. 17 (11), 3682 - 3699 10.1039/D3EE01091K - Brandenburg, F., Röhring, K., Hunger, S., Kuchenbuch, A., Harnisch, F. (2024):
Elektrobioreaktoren für alle! – Technische Anforderungen und Innovationen [Electrobioreactors for everyone! - Technical requirements and innovations]
Biospektrum 30 (1), 120 - 122 10.1007/s12268-024-2094-0 - Cabezas, A., Cercado, B., Chouchane, H., Corton, E., Gomaa, O., Harnisch, F., Limson, J., Reginatto Spiller, V., Vargas, I. (2024):
Microbial electrochemistry and technology capacity building challenges—focus on Latin America & Caribbean and Africa
J. Solid State Electrochem. 28 (3-4), 1023 - 1039 10.1007/s10008-023-05761-x - Ceballos-Escalera, A., Pous, N., Korth, B., Harnisch, F., Balaguer, M.D., Puig, S. (2024):
Ex-situ electrochemical characterisation of fixed-bed denitrification biocathodes: A promising strategy to improve bioelectrochemical denitrification
Chemosphere 347 , art. 140699 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140699 - da Rosa Braun, P.H., Kuchenbuch, A., Toselli, B., Rezwan, K., Harnisch, F., Wilhelm, M. (2024):
Influence of the 3D architecture and surface roughness of SiOC anodes on bioelectrochemical system performance: a comparative study of freeze-cast, 3D-printed, and tape-cast materials with uniform composition
Mater. Renew. Sustain. Energy 13 (1), 81 - 96 10.1007/s40243-023-00253-4 - Dai, S., Harnisch, F., Chávez Morejón, M., Keller, N.S., Korth, B., Vogt, C. (2024):
Microbial electricity-driven anaerobic phenol degradation in bioelectrochemical systems
Environ. Sci. Ecotechnol. 17 , art. 100307 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100307 - Digel, L., Mierzwa, M., Bonné, R., Zieger, S., Pavel, I., Ferapontova, E., Koren, K., Boesen, T., Harnisch, F., Marshall, I., Nielsen, L.P., Kuhn, A. (2024):
Cable bacteria skeletons as catalytically active electrodes
Angew. Chem.-Int. Edit. 63 (6), e202312647 10.1002/anie.202312647 - Dzofou Ngoumelah, D., Bjerkan Heggeset, T.M., Haugen, T., Sulheim, S., Wentzel, A., Harnisch, F., Kretzschmar, J. (2024):
Author correction: Effect of model methanogens on the electrochemical activity, stability, and microbial community structure of Geobacter spp. dominated biofilm anodes
npj Biofilms Microbiomes 10 , art. 41 10.1038/s41522-024-00513-9 - Dzofou Ngoumelah, D., Bjerkan Heggeset, T.M., Haugen, T., Sulheim, S., Wentzel, A., Harnisch, F., Kretzschmar, J. (2024):
Effect of model methanogens on the electrochemical activity, stability, and microbial community structure of Geobacter spp. dominated biofilm anodes
npj Biofilms Microbiomes 10 , art. 17 10.1038/s41522-024-00490-z - Harnisch, F., Deutzmann, J.S., Boto, S.T., Rosenbaum, M.A. (2024):
Microbial electrosynthesis: opportunities for microbial pure cultures
Trends Biotechnol. 42 (8), 1035 - 1047 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.02.004 - Harnisch, F., ter Heijne, A., Paquete, C.M. (2024):
Editorial letter of VSI: European scent of ISMET
Bioelectrochemistry 160 , art. 108772 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108772 - Izadi, P., Song, J., Singh, C., Pant, D., Harnisch, F. (2024):
Assessing the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction performance requires more than reporting coulombic efficiency
Adv. Energy Sustain. Res. 5 (6), art. 2400031 10.1002/aesr.202400031 - Lehneis, R., Harnisch, F., Thrän, D. (2024):
Electricity production landscape of run-of-river power plants in Germany
Resources 13 (12), art. 174 10.3390/resources13120174 - Linssen, R., de Smit, S., Röhring, K., Harnisch, F., ter Heijne, A. (2024):
Revealing cellular (poly)sulphide storage in electrochemically active sulphide oxidising bacteria using rotating disc electrodes
Bioelectrochemistry 158 , art. 108710 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108710 - Linssen, R., Harnisch, F., Ter, A., de Smit, S., Röhring, K. (2024):
Dataset accompanying "Revealing cellular (poly)sulphide storage in electrochemically active sulphide oxidising bacteria using rotating disc electrodes"
4TU.ResearchData 10.4121/a2279322-c37c-418e-8776-694f10f31d84.v1 - Rosa, L.F.M., Röhring, K., Harnisch, F. (2024):
Electrolysis of medium chain carboxylic acids to aviation fuel at technical scale
Fuel 356 , art. 129590 10.1016/j.fuel.2023.129590 - Saeidi, N., Lai, A., Harnisch, F., Sigmund, G. (2024):
A FAIR comparison of activated carbon, biochar, cyclodextrins, polymers, resins, and metal organic frameworks for the adsorption of per- and polyfluorinated substances
Chem. Eng. J. 498 , art. 155456 10.1016/j.cej.2024.155456 - ter Heijne, A., Harnisch, F. (2024):
Microbial electrodes
Nat. Rev. Method. Prim. 4 , art. 60 10.1038/s43586-024-00332-4
2023 (17)
- Boto, S.T., Bardl, B., Harnisch, F., Rosenbaum, M.A. (2023):
Microbial electrosynthesis with Clostridium ljungdahlii benefits from hydrogen electron mediation and permits a greater variety of products
Green Chem. 25 (11), 4375 - 4386 10.1039/D3GC00471F - Chávez Morejón, M., Franz, A., Karande, R., Harnisch, F. (2023):
Integrated electrosynthesis and biosynthesis for the production of adipic acid from lignin-derived phenols
Green Chem. 25 (12), 4662 - 4666 10.1039/D3GC01105D - Chávez Morejón, M., Kurig, N., Tschauder, Y.S., Harnisch, F., Palkovits, R. (2023):
Electrochemical cellobiose valorization: Anodic oxidation to cellobionic acid and cathodic reduction to cellobitol
ChemistrySelect 8 (27), e202301823 10.1002/slct.202301823 - Dai, S., Harnisch, F., Bin-Hudari, M.S., Keller, N.-S., Vogt, C., Korth, B. (2023):
Improving the performance of bioelectrochemical sulfate removal by applying flow mode
Microb. Biotechnol. 16 (3), 595 - 604 10.1111/1751-7915.14157 - Dzofou Ngoumelah, D., Harnisch, F., Sulheim, S., Heggeset, T.M.B., Aune, I.H., Wentzel, A., Kretzschmar, J. (2023):
A unified and simple medium for growing model methanogens
Front. Microbiol. 13 , art. 1046260 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1046260 - Dzofou Ngoumelah, D., Kuchenbuch, A., Harnisch, F., Kretzschmar, J. (2023):
Combining Geobacter spp. dominated biofilms and anaerobic digestion effluents─The effect of effluent composition and electrode potential on biofilm activity and stability
Environ. Sci. Technol. 57 (6), 2584 - 2594 10.1021/acs.est.2c07574 - Guo, Y., Rosa, L.F.M., Shan, Y., Harnisch, F., Müller, S. (2023):
Labor division of electroactive and carbon degrading microorganisms in bioelectrochemical laminar flow reactors
J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 11 (5), art. 111074 10.1016/j.jece.2023.111074 - Harnisch, F., Lehneis, R. (2023):
The power grids need to be made ready for a circular and bio-based economy
Next Sustainability 2 , art. 100010 10.1016/j.nxsust.2023.100010 - Harnisch, F., Sleutels, T., ter Heijne, A. (2023):
Basic electrochemistry for biotechnology
Wiley-VCH, 221 pp. - Izadi, P., Kas, A., Haus, P., Harnisch, F. (2023):
On the stability of electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction to formate at indium electrodes at biocompatible conditions
Electrochim. Acta 462 , art. 142733 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142733 - Kas, A., Izadi, P., Harnisch, F. (2023):
Front cover: High salt electrolyte solutions challenge the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction to formate at indium and tin cathodes (ChemElectroChem 23/2023)
ChemElectroChem 10 (23), e202300656 10.1002/celc.202300656 - Kas, A., Izadi, P., Harnisch, F. (2023):
High salt electrolyte solutions challenge the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction to formate at indium and tin cathodes
ChemElectroChem 10 (23), e202300311 10.1002/celc.202300311 - Kas, A., Izadi, P., Harnisch, F. (2023):
Cover profile: High salt electrolyte solutions challenge the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction to formate at indium and tin cathodes
ChemElectroChem 10 (23), e202300655 10.1002/celc.202300655 - Korth, B., Pereira, J., Sleutels, T., Harnisch, F., ter Heijne, A. (2023):
Comparing theoretical and practical biomass yields calls for revisiting thermodynamic growth models for electroactive microorganisms
Water Res. 242 , art. 120279 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120279 - Logroño, W., Kleinsteuber, S., Kretzschmar, J., Harnisch, F., De Vrieze, J., Nikolausz, M. (2023):
The microbiology of Power-to-X applications
FEMS Microbiol. Rev. 47 (2), fuad013 10.1093/femsre/fuad013 - Saeidi, N., Harnisch, F., Presser, V., Kopinke, F.-D., Georgi, A. (2023):
Electrosorption of organic compounds: State of the art, challenges, performance, and perspectives
Chem. Eng. J. 471 , art. 144354 10.1016/j.cej.2023.144354 - Stöckl, M., Lange, T., Izadi, P., Bolat, S., Teetz, N., Harnisch, F., Holtmann, D. (2023):
Application of gas diffusion electrodes in bioeconomy: An update
Biotechnol. Bioeng. 120 (6), 1465 - 1477 10.1002/bit.28383
For a full list since 2012 please see hier klicken
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Priority Programme SPP2240: eBiotech - 2nd phase
ESCAPE2.0: Establishing a scalable bioprocess reactor platform for cathodic obligate anaerobic electrobiosynthesis
PI: F. Harnisch
Partner und Coordinator for tandem project: Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research (Prof. Dr. M. A. Rosenbaum)
Funding period: 12/2024 - 11/2027
Link (external) - Saxon State Ministry of Science and Art (SMWK)
The Biohybrid Solar Power Plant (BISON)
PIs: F. Harnisch (WP7) and Benjamin Korth (WP8)
WP7: Development of Scalable Electrochemical Modules
WP8: Development of an electrochemical Configuration with low cost and high energy efficiency
Funding period: 06/2024 - 06/2026
Link - Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
"KMU-innovativ - KMUi-BÖ05: PHeaMOEZ - Plattform zum Hochdurchsatzscreening für elektrochemisch aktive Mikroorganismen und von Enzymen für die effiziente und langzeitstabile Biokatalyse; TP 3"
Coordinator: Sciospec Scientific Instruments GmbH
Partner: Leipzig University
PI: F. Harnisch
Funding period: 05/2023 - 04/2026
For closed third-party-funded projcts see here
Missing: Benjamin, Gustav and Mr. Elektron