Intrinsically conductive protein nanowires, microbially produced from inexpensive, renewable feedstocks, are a sustainable alternative to traditional nanowire electronic materials, which require high energy inputs and hazardous conditions/chemicals for fabrication and can be highly toxic. Pilin-based nanowires can be tailored for specific functions via the design of synthetic pilin genes to tune wire conductivity or introduce novel functionalities. Other microbially produced nanowire options for electronics may include cytochrome wires, curli fibers, and the conductive fibers of cable bacteria. Proof-of-concept protein nanowire electronics that have been successfully demonstrated include biomedical sensors, neuromorphic devices, and a device that generates electricity from ambient humidity. Further development of applications will require interdisciplinary teams of engineers, biophysicists, and synthetic biologists.

由廉价、可再生原料微生物生产的固有导电蛋白质纳米线是传统纳米线电子材料的可持续替代品，传统纳米线电子材料需要高能量输入和危险条件/化学品进行制造，并且可能具有剧毒。基于菌毛蛋白的纳米线可以通过设计合成菌毛蛋白基因来调整线的导电性或引入新的功能，从而针对特定功能进行定制。用于电子产品的其他微生物生产的纳米线选项可能包括细胞色素线、卷曲纤维和电缆细菌的导电纤维。已成功证明的概念验证蛋白质纳米线电子设备包括生物医学传感器、神经形态设备和一种利用环境湿度发电的设备。