For centuries, humans chased the dream of turning base metals into gold. Unfortunately, the fantasy of alchemy was never realized. Nature, however, has already mastered the mythical trick, far away from the glow of furnaces and laboratories.
A humble bacterium named Cupriavidus metallidurans can survive in soils surrounded by toxic metals. It has the unique ability to transform them into pure, elemental gold. Its secret lies in an elegant biochemical defense system and a survival mechanism that accidentally creates treasure.
In this gallery, we explore how bacteria can literally make gold, and what this discovery could mean for science, industry, and the planet.
Curious? Click to know more.