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Implications and potential applications
Biologically it is unclear what is implied by the existence of bacterial nanowires. Nanowires may function as conduits for electron transport between different members of a microbial community.

Edit - "Bacterial nanowires"
* Note that the added section "Potential bioenergy uses" is intended to be separate from the present Implications and Potential Applications

Implications
Biologically it is unclear what is implied by the existence of bacterial nanowires. Nanowires may function as conduits for electron transport between different members of a microbial community.

Potential bioenergy uses
Bacterial nanowires have been shown to enhance microbial fuel cells due to their relatively long-range electrical conductivity. Nanofilament networks of Shewanella oneidensis  and G. sulfurreducens are able to transport electrons along centimeter-scale distances, greater than other mechanisms of biological electron transfer. In particular, nanowires of G. sulfurreducens, due to their metallic-like conductivity, are able to yield electricity levels comparable to those of synthetic metallic nanostructures. Coating bacterial nanowires with metal oxides also promotes electrical conductivity. The efficacy of bacterial nanowires suggests potential applications for microbe-produced nanomaterials in bioelectronics as well as microbial fuel cells as renewable energy sources.

Bioenergy uses in microbial fuel cells
In microbial fuel cells (MFCs), bacterial nanowires can generate electricity via extracellular electron transport to the MFC's anode. Nanowire networks have been shown to enhance the electricity output of MFCs with efficient and long-range conductivity. In particular, pili of Geobacter sulfurreducens possess metallic-like conductivity, producing electricity at levels comparable to those of synthetic metallic nanostructures. When bacterial strains are genetically manipulated to boost nanowire formation, higher electricity yields are generally observed. Coating the nanowires with metal oxides further promotes electrical conductivity. Additionally, these nanowires can transport electrons up to centimetre-scale distances. Long-range electron transfer via pili networks allows viable cells that are not in direct contact with an anode to contribute to electron flow. Thus, increased current production in MFCs is observed in thicker biofilms.