A modular metabolism may explain the environmental success of certain sulfate-reducing bacteria. This is the result of a study published this week in the journal Science Advances. A research team led by scientists from the University of Oldenburg investigated the role of the Desulfobacteraceae family of bacteria that are very active in anaerobic sediments. The team reports that all studied strains possess the same central metabolic architecture for harvesting energy. However, some strains possess additional molecular modules that enable them to utilise diverse organic substances. The results could advance our understanding of sulfate-reducing bacteria’s relevance for the climate.