"Unlocking the Potential: Microbes Revolutionize Rare-Earth Metal Extraction"

Researchers are exploring the use of biomining, a process that utilizes microorganisms to extract rare-earth metals (REEs) from various sources such as rocks, electronic waste, and mining tailings. These metals, which are used in a wide range of applications, are difficult to purify using conventional methods and are often separated using hazardous chemicals. Biomining offers a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative. Microbes can secrete acids to solubilize metals and produce proteins that specifically interact with REEs, allowing for their isolation. However, scaling up the process and achieving industrial viability pose significant challenges. Researchers are working on optimizing microorganisms and developing tools such as lanmodulin, a lanthanide-binding molecule, to improve the efficiency of REE extraction and purification.