The bacteria that turns toxic chemicals into pure gold

Roger may find interesting this story that is at the nexus of microbiology and metal-love.  Science story at The Week out today , excerpt:

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered bacteria with the remarkable ability to turn toxic chemical compounds into 24-karat gold. The breakthrough, detailed in a combination art and biotechnology exhibition called "The Great Work of the Metal Lover," [Ed: You can't make this up.] is described by researcher Adam Brown as modern day "neo-alchemy."

This part is interesting:

The details are a bit complicated, says Jesus Diaz at Gizmodo, but basically, "Cupriavidus metallidurans can eat toxins and poop out gold nuggets."

Hmmmmm... imagine gold reduced to bacterial excrement... yuck!  State currency doesn't look that bad now does it metal-lovers? At least state currency can never take the form of biological excrement.

This project interestingly is part of a combination biotechnology and art exhibit that I wonder if Ron Paul perhaps funded with an earmark to the National Endowment of the Arts.