Lessons, connections, hypotheses and predictions from protein film electrochemistry

This extended essay describes the development of protein film electrochemistry (PFE) as a powerful suite of techniques for investigating how electron-transfer processes occurring in biological molecules are coupled to chemical reactions. Based on the author’s personal experiences, the article explores the wider picture through connections to related work and other scientific areas, as well as hypotheses and predictions. Extending far beyond its electrochemical origins and early expectations, PFE has reached a wide audience – across disciplines as diverse as electrochemistry, renewable energy, biological coordination chemistry, molecular catalysis, biocatalysis, molecular and cell biology, biotechnology and pharmacology. Much is owed to many researchers, from undergraduates to senior figures, with whom the author has worked alongside and been inspired by for more than 40 years.