Gemma Reguera

Early Life and Education#

Gemma Reguera was born in Moreda, Asturias, Spain, and developed an early interest in microbiology. She earned her B.Sc. in Microbiology at the University of Oviedo (1992) and completed a Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst in 2001[6]. Her doctoral work laid the groundwork for the microbial ecology of infectious diseases and environmental bacteria. She subsequently held postdoctoral fellowships in Spain’s Ministry of Science, collaborating with Roberto Kolter at Harvard Medical School (on Vibrio cholerae ecology), and at UMass Amherst under Derek Lovley (studying metal-reducing bacteria)[6].

Scientific Career and Microbiological Contributions#

In 2006, Reguera joined Michigan State University where she established a research program on electromicrobiology—the study of how bacteria transfer electrons extracellularly. Her focus is primarily on Geobacter sulfurreducens, a metal-respiring bacterium capable of producing conductive microbial nanowires (pili) that transport electrons across biofilms to external acceptors, including minerals and electrodes.

Her landmark 2005 Nature paper with Lovley and colleagues—“Extracellular electron transfer via microbial nanowires”—demonstrated that Geobacter pili conduct electricity, pioneering the concept of biological nanowires and shifting scientific understanding of microbial community electron flow[2][6]. Reguera continued to investigate how electron conduction extends through multi-layer biofilms, demonstrating mechanisms coordinating pili and cytochromes in energy and electron transport across biofilm thicknesses for efficient extracellular respiration (e.g., 2016 Nature Communications study)[2].

Beyond fundamental science, Reguera has been active in applied microbiology, implementing uranium and heavy-metal bioremediation strategies via pili-mediated electron transfer and promoting bioelectrochemical system (BES) innovations for waste treatment and microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with environmental applications[6].

Leadership and Global Impact#

Reguera holds significant leadership roles both in and out of academia. She serves as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development in the College of Natural Sciences at Michigan State University, shaping faculty policy and mentoring professional growth[4].

Since 2021 she has been Editor-in-Chief of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, guiding scientific discourse in microbiology and environmental applications.

Her broader scientific influence includes election as Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2019) and serves on the US DOE BER Advisory Committee and the National Microbiome Data Collaborative advisory board—indicating her influence in national microbiome policy and data initiatives[4].

Sustainability Contributions#

Reguera’s research in electromicrobiology is inherently linked to sustainability. The discovery of microbial nanowires has led to practical bioelectrochemical applications:

• Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs): Her lab showed that the presence of nanowires enhances electron transport in biofilms, boosting electricity production—a foundation for renewable-energy research in bioelectrochemical systems[2].
• Bioremediation: Demonstrated that Geobacter and related bacteria can degrade uranium and heavy metals by transferring electrons to metal pollutants through nanowires, aiding sustainable cleanup strategies for contaminated groundwater systems.

Through these contributions, Reguera advances sustainable biotechnology by leveraging biological electron transfer processes to address climate resilience, environmental remediation, clean energy, and circular bioeconomy development.

Awards and Legacy#

Reguera’s pioneering research and leadership have earned prestigious recognition:

• Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2019)[6]
• Editor-in-Chief, Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2021–)
• Alice C. Evans Award, American Society for Microbiology (2022), for advancing women in microbiology[2]
• Ongoing roles in ASM and national science boards

Her legacy lies in establishing electromicrobiology as a scientific discipline, translating basic discovery into environmental and energy solutions, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

Selected Publications#

• Reguera, G., McCarthy, K. D., Mehta, T., Nicoll, J. S., Tuominen, M. T., & Lovley, D. R. (2005). Extracellular electron transfer via microbial nanowires. Nature, 435, 1098–1101.
• Reguera, G. et al. (2006). Biofilm and nanowire production leads to increased current in Geobacter sulfurreducensfuel cells. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72, 7345–7348.
• Reguera, G. (2018). Microbial nanowires and electroactive biofilms. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 94(5):fiy086.
• Reguera, G., Kashefi, K. (2019). The electrifying physiology of Geobacter bacteria, 30 years on. Microbial Biotechnology.
• Steidl, R. J., Lampa-Pastirk, S., Reguera, G. (2016). Mechanistic stratification in electroactive biofilms of Geobacter sulfurreducens mediated by pilus nanowires. Nature Communications.

Spotlight on a Landmark Study#

Brief Overview#

Extracellular electron transfer via microbial nanowires” (Nature, 2005) represents a pivotal moment in biological sciences. Reguera and colleagues provided the first demonstration that Geobacter sulfurreducens can conduct electricity through pilus filaments (protein nanowires), overturning previous assumptions that microbes physically contact each electron acceptor. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for electromicrobiology.

Key Insights#

• Demonstrated conductive pili produced by bacteria serve as electrical nanowires.
• Proved these structures enable electron transfer across biofilms, allowing respiration to continue even in layers distant from surfaces or minerals.
• Established microbial nanowires as a fundamental mechanism for environmental electron flow.

Why This Matters#

• Bioenergy technologies, like microbial fuel cells that produce electricity from waste,
• Bioremediation strategies, by transferring electrons to environmental contaminants, and
• Broadening the field’s view of microbial physiology and community interactions.

Summary Table#

Category	Details
Lead Researchers	Gemma Reguera & Team
Affiliations	UMass Amherst & collaborators
Research Focus	Nanowire-mediated electron transfer in biofilms
Key Breakthroughs	Discovery of conductive pili; electron flow across biofilms
Collaborative Efforts	Collaboration with Lovley group
Published Work	Nature (2005)
Perspective	Research Article
Publication Date	October 13, 2005
Location	USA
Key Findings	First evidence that pili carry electricity; enables new bioenergy and bioremediation applications

Conclusion#

Dr. Gemma Reguera is a pioneering scientist whose discovery of microbial nanowires has redefined microbiology and its applications in sustainability. Through foundational research in electromicrobiology at MSU and strategic leadership roles in the field, she has advanced renewable energy solutions, environmental cleanup technologies, and science policy. A dedicated mentor and advocate for women in STEM, Reguera’s legacy is multifaceted—spanning science, society, and sustainable innovation.

Reference#

1. Reguera, G., McCarthy, K. D., Mehta, T., Nicoll, J. S., Tuominen, M. T., & Lovley, D. R. (2005). Extracellular electron transfer via microbial nanowires. Nature, 435, 1098–1101.
2. Reguera, G. (2018). Microbial nanowires and electroactive biofilms. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 94(5): fiy086.
3. Michigan State University. (n.d.). Gemma Reguera, Ph.D. [Profile]. Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, MSU. Retrieved from MSU directory page.
4. Michigan State University. (n.d.). Environmental Science & Policy Program: Gemma Reguera. Retrieved from MSU ESPP directory.
5. American Society for Microbiology. (n.d.). Gemma Reguera, Ph.D. [Biography]. ASM website.
6. Wikipedia. (2025). Gemma Reguera. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 2025.