Scientists thought they knew most things about bacteria. However, they have just found that bacteria can pass on memories to future generations. The research was on the well-studied E. coli bacteria. Researchers said these bacteria can form memories even though they have no brain. Bacteria can get information from their environment. They can store memory of this and can quickly access it for later use.

Bacterial memory is different from human memory. It is more like our muscle memory. Our muscles have a sense of what to do next. Bacterial memory is because of levels of iron. A researcher said early life used iron for many cellular processes. Iron was essential for the evolution of life. A researcher said his research could help to fight bacterial diseases. He said the more we know about bacterial behaviour, the easier it is to combat disease.