WOW!!
Researchers at MIT have modified viruses through genetic engineering and directed evolution to build highly efficient batteries.
More here:
WOW indeed. Very interesting read thanks.
from Virus-Assembled Batteries
One of the ways they have done this in the past is using a process called "directed evolution." They combine collections of viruses with millions of random variations in a vial containing a piece of the material they want the virus to bind to. Some of the viruses happen to have proteins that bind to the material. Isolating these viruses is a simple process of washing off the piece of material --only those viruses bound to the material remain. These can then be allowed to reproduce. After a few rounds of binding and washing, only viruses with the highest affinity for the material remain.
My pleasure, Technologyreview is a must-have in your RSS feeds. There is a big Biotech section with all sorts of weird and wonderful stories. Another interesting one I recall (will have to go and look for the link) is about gm bacteria used to produce diesel from plant cellulose.