Clipping Board » New Knowledge and the Unknown of Life ─ Life will always bring you surprises and wonders.
Update Date: 2009/10/15 15:35 Reporter Li Boxun
Australian scientists have discovered that a type of bacteria called *Cupriavidus metallidurans* strain CH34, which grows on gold nuggets, can help the nuggets "grow" through a complex biochemical mechanism. The integration of biology and chemistry continues to yield major breakthroughs. Professor Chen Zhaocen from the Department of Chemistry at National Taiwan University noted that interdisciplinary research is a current trend in academia.
Scientists from the University of Adelaide, led by Frank Reith, collected gold particle samples from New South Wales and Queensland and found that these particles were covered with a biofilm formed by *Cupriavidus metallidurans*.
After detailed research, Reith and his team confirmed that *Cupriavidus metallidurans* can convert highly toxic gold complexes into non-toxic, tiny gold particles. This is currently the only known biomineralization process capable of producing pure gold. The most common biomineralization process in the human body is the accumulation of calcium phosphate to form teeth and bones.
Reith pointed out that the key discovery was identifying an operon in the bacteria's DNA that is regulated by gold complexes. This means that when bacterial cells accumulate toxic gold complexes from the surrounding environment, the complexes themselves can activate a "detoxification gene," converting the gold complexes into gold nanoparticles to prevent poisoning.
He further explained that this unique reaction, specific to gold deposits, has the potential to be developed into a biosensor, which could benefit gold prospectors in the future.
Molecular biology, which studies chemical reactions within biological cells, has become a popular interdisciplinary field bridging chemistry and biology in recent years. This year's Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physiology or Medicine were both awarded to researchers in this field. Professor Chen Zhaocen from Taiwan's Department of Chemistry believes this reflects the current research trend.
Chen noted that researchers in molecular biology need expertise in both chemistry and biology, enabling them to explore and solve major problems, making it a highly promising field.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……rl/ d/ a/ 091015/ 115/ 1t1fc. html
Scientists Confirm Bacteria Produce Gold
Australian scientists have discovered that a type of bacteria called *Cupriavidus metallidurans* strain CH34, which grows on gold nuggets, can help the nuggets "grow" through a complex biochemical mechanism. The integration of biology and chemistry continues to yield major breakthroughs. Professor Chen Zhaocen from the Department of Chemistry at National Taiwan University noted that interdisciplinary research is a current trend in academia.
Scientists from the University of Adelaide, led by Frank Reith, collected gold particle samples from New South Wales and Queensland and found that these particles were covered with a biofilm formed by *Cupriavidus metallidurans*.
After detailed research, Reith and his team confirmed that *Cupriavidus metallidurans* can convert highly toxic gold complexes into non-toxic, tiny gold particles. This is currently the only known biomineralization process capable of producing pure gold. The most common biomineralization process in the human body is the accumulation of calcium phosphate to form teeth and bones.
Reith pointed out that the key discovery was identifying an operon in the bacteria's DNA that is regulated by gold complexes. This means that when bacterial cells accumulate toxic gold complexes from the surrounding environment, the complexes themselves can activate a "detoxification gene," converting the gold complexes into gold nanoparticles to prevent poisoning.
He further explained that this unique reaction, specific to gold deposits, has the potential to be developed into a biosensor, which could benefit gold prospectors in the future.
Molecular biology, which studies chemical reactions within biological cells, has become a popular interdisciplinary field bridging chemistry and biology in recent years. This year's Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physiology or Medicine were both awarded to researchers in this field. Professor Chen Zhaocen from Taiwan's Department of Chemistry believes this reflects the current research trend.
Chen noted that researchers in molecular biology need expertise in both chemistry and biology, enabling them to explore and solve major problems, making it a highly promising field.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……rl/ d/ a/ 091015/ 115/ 1t1fc. html