Metal Bacteria Create Gold from Massive Concentrations of Gold Chloride

Scientists have revealed a new ability of bacterium that can withstand incredible amount of toxicity and that is the key to creating 24 karat gold.

The scientists have revealed that the metal tolerant bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurnas can grow on massive concentrations of gold chloride or liquid gold. This is a toxic chemical compound that is found in nature.

"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.

This study was done by Kazem Kashefi and Adam Brown, associate professor of electronic art and intermedia.

The bacteria are at least 25 times stronger than previously reported among scientists. The researchers determined in their art installation, "The Great Work of the Metal Lover," which uses a combination of biotechnology, art and alchemy to turn liquid gold into 24-karat gold.

Made of 24-karat gold-plated hardware the artwork contains a portable laboratory.  It has a glass bioreactor and the bacteria, a combination that produces gold in front of an audience. 

The bacteria were given exceptional amount of gold chloride, imitating the natural process. They noticed that in about a week the bacteria transformed the toxins and produced a gold nugget.

"The Great Work of the Metal Lover" uses a living system as a vehicle for artistic exploration, Brown said.

The artwork consists of a series of images made with a scanning electron microscope.  By adopting the ancient gold illumination technique the researcher Brown applied the 2 karat gold leaf to regions of the prints where a bacterial gold deposit has been identified so that each print contains some of the gold produced in the bioreactor.

"This is neo-alchemy. Every part, every detail of the project is a cross between modern microbiology and alchemy," Brown said. "Science tries to explain the phenomenological world. As an artist, I'm trying to create a phenomenon. Art has the ability to push scientific inquiry."

It would be cost prohibitive to reproduce their experiment on a larger scale, he said. But the researchers' success in creating gold raises questions about greed, economy and environmental impact, focusing on the ethics related to science and the engineering of nature.

"The Great Work of the Metal Lover" was selected for exhibition and received an honorable mention at the cyber art competition, Prix Ars Electronica, in Austria, where it's on display until Oct. 7. Prix Ars Electronica is one of the most important awards for creativity and pioneering spirit in the field of digital and hybrid media, Brown said.

"Art has the ability to probe and question the impact of science in the world, and 'The Great Work of the Metal Lover' speaks directly to the scientific preoccupation while trying to shape and bend biology to our will within the post-biological age," Brown said.