This brief introduces the structural and functional characterization of this important group of proteins. The content of each chapter is aimed at the non-specialist so that key concepts, methodologies and applications can be presented in a 'snapshot' style volume. Multiheme cytochromes are ever more important now that it is possible to obtain genome sequences of microorganisms which have major biotechnological and environmental implications. There is a tremendous profusion of multiheme cytochromes which have great potential as targets for bioremediation and bioenergy applications. This brief gives a glimpse of an intriguing and fast-moving field.

Carlos A. Salgueiro obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa in 1998. Currently he is Assistant Professor with Habilitation at the Chemistry Department, FCT/UNL and Group Leader of the Biochemistry and Bioenergetics of Heme Proteins research team at UCIBIO-REQUIMTE. His research is focused on the application of NMR techniques to the structural and functional characterization of biological systems, particularly those involving electron transfer proteins. In the last decade he has been involved in the study of multiheme cytochromes from Geobacter sulfurreducens . These studies have pinpointed multiheme cytochromes as foundations to develop Geobacter -based biotechnological applications in the fields of bioremediation and bioenergy.

Joana M. Dantas obtained her degree in Applied Chemistry, Biotechnology from Faculty of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (FCT/UNL) in 2010. She is a member of the Biochemistry and Bioenergetics of Heme Proteins research group at UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, FCT/UNL. In 2012, she obtained her M.D. in Structural and Functional Biochemistry and she is finalizing her PhD studies. Her research is focused on the structural and dynamic characterization of multiheme cytochromes.