At a time when the value of gold has reached an all-time
high, Michigan State University researchers have discovered a bacterium’s
ability to withstand incredible amounts of toxicity is key to creating 24-karat
gold.
“Microbial alchemy is what we’re doing – transforming gold
from something that has no value into a solid, precious metal that’s valuable,”
said Kazem Kashefi, assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics.
He and Adam Brown, associate professor of electronic art and
intermedia, found the metal-tolerant bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans can
grow on massive concentrations of gold chloride – or liquid gold, a toxic
chemical compound found in nature.