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Published online 5 January 2000 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news000106-8
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Microbial mercury mop
Eleanor Lawrence reports on a new strain of bacteria genetically engineered to clean up soil and water contaminated by toxic radioactive waste.
Radiation-resistant bacteria that can dispose of heavy metals are being developed to help clean up soil and water contaminated by toxic radioactive waste. Researchers have announced in the journal Nature Biotechnology1that they have constructed a version of the highly radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans that converts the toxic mercury in such wastes to a less toxic form.
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