Bacterial enzymes: The biological role of europium
(PHYSorg.com Chemistry)

Rare earth elements (REEs) are an indispensable component of the digital technologies that are now an integral part of everyday life. Yet their biological role has been discovered only recently. A few years ago, it became apparent that these metals are essential elements for methano- and methylotrophic bacteria. One representative is the bacterium Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, which was found in a volcanic mudpot near Naples, Italy, and is known to be strictly dependent on REEs such as lanthanum and cerium for its growth.