Science discovers bacteria that poops gold.

[cesariojpn]

http://gizmodo.com/5948739/researchers- ... -pure-gold

[Engineer]

Kashefi and Brown are the ones who have created this compact laboratory that uses the bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans to turn gold chlroride—a toxic chemical liquid you can find in nature—into 99.9% pure gold.

From what I've read, gold chloride is a PITA to process, so this could be a huge benefit to the refining industry.

[rexmerdinus]

My first thought was that this bacteria was lab-created instead of discovered in nature, but from a quick read that seems not to be the case. Ironic how going back to nature may increase technology in an area.

I'm also thinking this opens up possibilities for nanotechnology. If you can find a way to deposit the bacteria, or possibly just their food, onto a super small circuit board in a predictable and controlloable manner, it makes expensive and sensitive industrial processes obsolete. Also, in kind of a science fiction vein, I wonder if anyone has thought of splicing genes from that bacterium into human DNA to produce a REAL "Midas Touch." My dad always said there was a lot of money in sh**!

[Sterling Silver]

I'm sure the MSM will report it is only found in Obama's colon.

[Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay]

A few years back, I read how scientists were hunting for the bacteria. They kept finding gold in sea beds with a molecular structure suggesting it was germ poop. Now they did!

Remember the story about the goose that lays the golden eggs? Well, it turns out it's a germ, not a goose!

[OtusLotus]

I can only imagine if my "Gold-en Retriever" or my "Goldfish" could do the same thing!

[ScottyTX]

I can only imagine if my "Gold-en Retriever" or my "Goldfish" could do the same thing!

I'm sure you could get the dog to Shyt gold out just might not be what you were thinking It's all about what you feed them

[madman326]

i dont know about anyone else, but my poop does not stink.....

[chant1970]

Arthur C. Clarke in his book Imperial Earth mentions engineered coral reefs made of gold. It’s not a big part of the story and he doesn’t go into detail. It was published in 1976.

I thank today the idea of polyps modified to “harvest” gold from seawater and building their exoskeletons out of gold instead of calcium is not so farfetched.

Chant