Anaerobic bacteria from animal or human waste that survive by “iron respiration” could allow for development of new microbe-based technologies such as “bio-battery” fuel cells and agents to clean up toxic organic pollutants such as oil or uranium, scientists at the University of East Anglia have discovered.

These bacteria can construct tiny biological wires that extend through the cell walls and allow the organism to directly contact, and conduct electrons to a mineral, they found.