Bug Turns Environment to Gold

Bug protects itself by turning its environment to gold - life - 03 February 2013 - New Scientist

It looks like a King Midas is real after all, but in the form of bacteria. Research from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario have found a bacteria called Delftia acidovorans and it secretes a chemical that protects itself against toxic gold ions. The chemical called delftibactin A detoxifies and changes gold ions into unreactive gold nanoparticles outside the bacteria cell. This discovery can lead to identifying gold-rich environments and ultimately gold extraction.