Bacteria That Turn Toxins to Gold

[Paul Ferguson]

"In 1976, the bustling corridors of a metal-processing plant in Belgium witnessed an extraordinary discovery. Among the industrial waste and metallic debris, a group of scientists identified a remarkable bacterium, later named Cupriavidus metallidurans. Unlike most microbes, which would perish in such toxic environments, this resilient bacterium thrived. It not only endured the heavy metal-laden surroundings but also detoxified harmful compounds, making it a scientific marvel. Decades later, in 2009, researchers uncovered another astonishing capability: C. metallidurans could convert toxic metals into 24-carat gold within just a week, a feat that captured global attention."

https://micro-bites.org/2025/01/22/bacte...ce-fields/