A team of researchers from Cornell University, led by Buz Barstow, has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to create a “microbe-mineral atlas” – a catalog of microorganisms and genes that interact with minerals. The goal is to use synthetic biology to develop genetically engineered microorganisms that can accelerate the extraction of critical metals, such as copper and nickel, from low-concentration minerals. The team will investigate how microbes interact with minerals and rocks, and assess how policies should be adapted to account for this emerging biotechnology. The project also aims to educate high school students about genetic engineering and make them more comfortable with the technology. The team consists of co-principal investigators from Cornell and Michigan State University, and is hopeful that the project will be renewed and expanded to include researchers from 11 universities in four countries. The research has the potential to provide a sustainable pathway for mining critical metals, which are essential for carbon-neutral renewable energy technologies.
A microscopic mapping of the microbiome could uncover eco-friendly methods for extracting essential metals.
