Integrated multi-omics and metabolic modeling links structure to function in high-performing electrosynthetic biofilm communities.

High-performing MES communities utilize specific acetogenic species, including Clostridium aromativorans, to produce acetate, butyrate, and caproate via Wood-Ljungdahl and reverse β-oxidation pathways.

• Why it matters: Understanding the microbial community members, metabolic pathways, and interactions in MES systems is crucial for engineering more efficient bioelectrochemical processes, yet these aspects remain poorly characterized.
• What they did: The study combined multi-omics with metagenome-scale metabolic modeling to analyze three high-performing MES communities, reconstructing 25 genomes and identifying key species and pathways involved.
• The result: Findings reveal specific acetogenic microbes and cross-fed metabolites like lactate and ethanol, along with cofactor cross-feeding, which may inform strategies to enhance MES productivity and specificity.