Researchers at Rice University in Houston have uncovered a means of using bacteria that generate electricity as part of their survival process. Their findings could be a useful path toward innovations in clean energy, biomanufacturing and environmental monitoring.

Bacteria can adapt to oxygen-poor environments, such as deep-sea vents and the human gut¾unlike most organisms that rely on oxygen to metabolize food and release energy.  These anaerobic bacteria use a process called extracellular respiration, which pushes electrons out of their cells to surrounding conductive surfaces to survive and grow. While this behavior has been observed for years, the precise mechanism remained elusive—until now.

The Rice team, in collaboration with the Palsson lab at the University of California San Diego, discovered that naturally occurring molecules called “naphthoquinones” serve as molecular shuttles. These compounds transfer electrons from inside the bacterial cells to external surfaces, effectively allowing the bacteria to “breathe” through conductive materials. It’s a process similar to how batteries release current.

The research team combined experimental biology with computational modeling to simulate the growth of these bacteria in oxygen-deprived but conductive environments. Their findings were confirmed in the lab, where bacteria continued to thrive and generate electricity when placed on conductive materials.

The implications of this work are significant. One immediate application lies in industrial biotechnology, particularly in wastewater treatment and biomanufacturing. Systems that often suffer from electron imbalances could be stabilized by these electricity-producing bacteria, improving efficiency and sustainability.

The potential of this bacterial electricity generation has enabled researchers to open new frontiers at the intersection of biology and technology. As the world seeks cleaner, more adaptable energy solutions, nature’s tiny electric power plants may soon play an outsized role in shaping the future.

One researcher believes the discovery could also lead to new methods for harnessing carbon dioxide through bioelectrical systems, drawing parallels to how plants use sunlight for photosynthesis.

The team envisions the development of bioelectronic sensors capable of operating in oxygen-deprived conditions, offering new possibilities for pollution tracking, medical diagnostics and even extraterrestrial exploration.