Thanks due to kind reader ‘HP’ for headsup (no, that’s not him above).
“…..Frank Reith of the University of Adelaide, South Australia, has found that dissolved gold is harmful to the bacterium Cupriavidus metallidurans, as it forms a toxic sulphur-containing compound when it is absorbed from the environment. This compound inhibits the bacterium’s enzyme function, prompting the distressed microbe to activate a cluster of “gold detox” genes that produce enzymes able to convert the soluble gold compounds into harmless particles of metallic gold.”
“The discovery of active microbially driven biomineralization may lead to the development of technical applications, such as biosensor- (34, 35) and for ore processing technology. Likely, the Au-specific genetic responses identified may lead to the development of Au-specific biosensor technology enabling in situ Au measurements that could revolutionize the exploration for Au deposits and improve efficiency in Au extraction and hydrometallurgical processes.”