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The Volkswagen Foundation supports a special research project involving the Max Planck Institutes in Mülheim. In this project, scientists are investigating the secrets of so-called cable bacteria.
They live on the ground of the ocean and have electrical conductivity that is unique among living organisms. So-called cable bacteria were first discovered in 2010 as part of an experiment. Now, these extraordinary organisms, which can transport electrons over distances of several centimeters in special fibers, have attracted the attention of a team of Max Planck researchers from Mülheim and the University of Antwerp in Belgium. The project, which deals with quantum effects in biological systems, is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.
In September 2025, the foundation announced a grant award as part of its “NEXT – Quantum Biology” program, including a project led by Prof. Dr. Serena DeBeer, Director of the Inorganic Spectroscopy Department at MPI CEC, in cooperation with Prof. Filip Meysman from the University of Antwerp and Prof. Frank Neese, Director at the Max Planck Institute für Kohlenforschung. The project is being funded in the “Exploration” profile area, which supports particularly risk-taking and visionary research. With about two million Euro for the project, the foundation is enabling pioneering work at the interface of biology and quantum physics.
Revolutionary protein wires from nature
At the heart of the project ‘Biological quantum conduction across centimetre distances’ is an interesting discovery: certain bacteria in the seabed have protein filaments that conduct electrons over centimeter distances, and do so 100 million times more efficiently than known biological conductors such as mitochondrial proteins. These ‘nanowires’ not only outshine modern synthetic materials, but also contradict current theories on charge transport in living organisms. If quantum effects are at work here, this could revolutionize our understanding of biological processes.
Why do these proteins conduct so exceptionally well? The international team led by Prof. DeBeer (MPI CEC), Prof. Meysman (University of Antwerp), Prof. Neese (MPI für Kohlenforschung) and Prof. van der Zant (TU Delft) is pursuing an interesting hypothesis: Quantum phenomena at the nanoscale could enable macroscopic current flow. The researchers aim to decipher the mechanism using spectroscopy, theoretical modelling and biophysics. This interdisciplinary approach is at the heart of the ‘NEXT’ program, which specifically promotes unconventional collaborations.
Pioneering sustainable technologies
Confirmation of the quantum hypothesis would have far-reaching consequences: it would prove that nature uses quantum effects for highly efficient energy transfer – a paradigm shift for biology. But the applications are even more concrete: the protein wires could serve as a blueprint for green electronic materials: resource-efficient, biodegradable and powerful. This brings the vision of ‘protein electronics’ for sustainable sensors or energy systems within reach.
“The project is particularly exciting for us because it is completely different from what we usually do,” explains Prof. Frank Neese from the MPI für Kohlenforschung. However, since the scientist conducted research in biology before studying chemistry, it is also a kind of “home game” for him.
The funding from “NEXT – Quantum Biology” underscores the importance of bold basic research for forward-looking innovations. The entire team would like to thank the Volkswagen Foundation for its trust and support of the project.
Prof. Dr. Frank Neese
Direktor
Molekulare Theorie und Spektroskopie
+49 208/306-2190
+49 208/306-2980
frank.neese@kofo.mpg.de
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