Josh Lawrence

pubs.acs.orgDissecting Bioelectrical Networks in Photosynthetic Membranes with ElectrochemistryPhotosynthetic membranes contain complex networks of redox proteins and molecules, which direct electrons along various energy-to-chemical interconversion reactions important for sustaining life on Ea...

Our latest paper is out now in @jacs.acspublications.org . In this study we tried to push the limits of #electrochemistry beyond proteins, to studying entire pathways of biological electron transfer ⚡️🦠. Here's a summary 🧵 (1/10) pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Josh Lawrence reposted

Darius Kosmützky

@dariuskos.bsky.social

31 Mar

🚨 New Preprint! 🚨 For my PhD, I investigated an over 20-year-old mystery in photosynthesis: What does the highly conserved but enigmatic protein cytochrome c6A actually do? We found: c6A helps algae stayin' alive in the "DISCO". 🪩 See the thread below & read the preprint: doi.org/10.64898/202...

This technique (native membrane electrochemistry) combines the interpretability of protein electrochemistry with the complexity of microbial electrochemistry. We envision applications in investigating #bioenergetics, as well as #bioelectricity and #biocatalysis. (9/10)

Thanks to all the authors in Chris Howe's, @biophotoelectro.bsky.social and other labs who contributed over the years. Also to the fantastic (and super quick) editors and reviewers whose comments greatly improved the manuscript, as well as the BBSRC and others for funding. (10/10)

We also showed how these electrochemical measurements can be coupled to spectroscopy, with parameters from each showing agreement with one another. (7/10)

We also identified how wiring membranes to electrodes has inherent advantages in #biohybrid devices for energy conversion. Here we obtain photocurrents at -600 mV vs SHE; ~1V more negative (much higher energy electrons) than is achievable with isolated proteins. (8/10)

Through many experiments (different inhibitors, mutants, experimental conditions) we could disentangle the different electron transfer pathways within the membranes. This enabled us to create a detailed model of electron transfer between the membranes and the electrode. (5/10)

This alone demonstrates that electrochemistry can interrogate complex biological systems, but what can we actually use it for? Here we use the Spike Charge to measure respiratory reduction and oxidation of the #quinone pool (↑Spike Charge = ↑quinone reduction). (6/10)

These specialised electrodes enabled sensitive measurements of photocurrents, revealing a distinct profile (not observed in previous studies) which was quantified as two parameters: the Spike Charge and the Steady State Photocurrent. (3/10)

These parameters were dependent on different interfacial electron transfer pathways, shown here by the different effects of photosynthetic inhibitors. This suggested analysis of photocurrents could provide information on different membrane electron transfer pathways! (4/10)

To analyse bioelectrical pathways, we interfaced thylakoid membranes isolated from #cyanobacteria with structured #electrodes. These #membranes contain a highly complex network of electron transfer, including electron transport chains for #photosynthesis and #respiration. (2/10)

25 Mar 2025

Was great to be part of this study headed up by @scaralbi.bsky.social. We are very excited by the finding that chromosomal polyploidy could be an important driver in the #evolution of #cyanobacteria and other prokaryotes. 🧬🦠

Cambridge Biochemistry@cambiochem.bsky.social

A paper published in @currentbiology.bsky.social by @scaralbi.bsky.social and colleagues in the Howe Group adds significantly to our understanding of bacterial evolution by showing how #cyanobacteria can rapidly develop resistance to a #herbicide. Read more: www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/news/howe-gr...

12 Mar 2025

Thanks to @cenmag.bsky.social for this great article about our efforts to create music with algae 🎶🦠

C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News)@cenmag.bsky.social

University of Cambridge biochemist Joshua Lawrence and a multidisciplinary team have worked out how to make music from the electrical signals emitted by the cyanobacteria, also known as microalgae, Synechocystis. cen.acs.org/education/sc... #chemsky🧪 #biosky

tandfonline.comAlgal biomusic generationTechnologies which can generate music with limited human intervention are a longstanding area of investigation for musicians and musicologists, with particular interest in how these technologies ca...

Here's something a little different to our usual research for my inaugral Bluesky Post. In our new perspective out now in Applied Phycology, we describe how you can use the electrical signals of algae to generate music 🦠⚡️🎵. 🧵1/12 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

A big thank you to Juliet Brodie, as well as the rest of the Applied Phycology editorial team and our peer reviewers for helping us with this (rather unorthodox) paper. 11/12

tandfonline.comAlgae at the interfaceExplore the article collection: Algae at the interface. Published in Applied Phycology.

For more papers of this ilk, check out the special issue on 'algae at the interface', which this publication is part of. 12/12 www.tandfonline.com/journals/tap...

We are now collaborating with artist Lena Kuzmich, who is building our first proper algal musical instrument. A prototype of this device has already been used as a part of a musical ensemble in 'Choir of Kin'- an art installation shown at Brut Vienna last march. 9/12

We look forward to showing more of this work as it progresses. It's all been made possible through the collaboration of a highly interdisciplinary team of scientists, artists and designers: Alberto Scarampi, Emma Albertini, Paolo Bombelli, Chris Howe, Lucia Giron and Lena Kuzmich. 10/12

In this perspective we outline the essential design considerations when building these algal musical instruemnts. This includes a detailed description of the different ways bioelectrical signals can be converted into musical ones. 7/12

We also discuss the different musical applications for this technology, with a particular focus on music which reflects the environment, or 'space' it is generated in. 8/12

By comparison, the electrical signals generated from algae are directly related to the photosynthetic and metabolic activity of the cells. When environmental conditions cause alterations of this activity, this is reflected in the electricity production. 5/12

From this we surmised that algal bioelectricity could be used to make truly environmental biomusic, which not only reflected but was generated from the environment it was composed or recorded in. 6/12

We found this system was a brilliant tool for outreach, enabling us to explain complex scientific topics such as photosynthesis and bacterial metabolism through music. This led us to wonder how else we could use this musical technology. 3/12

Biomusic is music created with no, or minimal, human-input. Previously, researchers have made biomusic using signals recorded from living non-human organisms, including plants and slime molds. However, the signals used to make this music are often not biological in nature. 4/12