Many anaerobic processes are key to our diet (e.g. fermentation), our health (e.g. digestive tract), our environment (e.g. wastewater treatment), and a sustainable supply of energy (e.g. biogas production).

Compared to "classic" microbial model systems, research on obligate anaerobes is more demanding, both in terms of equipment and routine methodology.

Considering that most microbial processes occur under exclusion of oxygen, this aspect is usually underrepresented in the curriculum, particularly in lab training.