"Using Genetically Engineered Bacteria for Rare-Earth Metal Purification"
Scientists have genetically modified a salt-loving bacterium, Vibrio natriegens, to extract rare-earth metals through biosorption, offering a potential environmentally friendly alternative to current purification methods. The bacterium, known for its rapid growth and non-pathogenic nature, was engineered to boost extraction of rare-earth metals by 210%. While this breakthrough shows promise, further optimization is needed to make the method viable for purifying mixed metal samples, but it could potentially replace solvent extraction in the future.