University of Edinburgh (U-E) students have created custom-made bacteria that glows green when it comes in contact with chemicals leaked by explosives. This is a simple, cheap and accurate way to detect landmines quickly.

According to Handicap International, landmines and unexploded artillery kill 15,000-20,000 people each year.

The bacteria can be mixed into a colourless solution that, when sprayed on to the ground, forms green patches to specify the presence of landmines.

"This anti-mine sensor is a great example of how innovation in science can be of benefit to wider society," said Alistair Elfick of the U-E School of Engineering, who co-supervised the project.

Researchers say that the organism, which is cheap to produce, could be transported from the air onto areas thought to contain landmines, with results obtainable within a few hours. The bacteria is not harmful to people or animals.

Countries like Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Mozambique and Cambodia are among the 87 nations filled with minefields, said a U-E release.

Scientists and engineers were able to produce the bacteria with an emerging technique known as BioBricking. The tool allows bacteria molecules to be accumulated from a range of tiny parts like a very small-scale machine.