Cupriavidus metallidurans

)[2] Cupriavidus metallidurans is a non-spore-forming, Gram-negative bacterium which is adapted to survive several forms of heavy metal stress.

[6] This species is of ecological and industrial importance, as its relatives dominate mesophilic environments contaminated with heavy metals.

[4] This aerobic chemolithoautotroph is capable of growing in a mineral salts environment with H2, O2, and CO2 without an organic carbon source.

[9] Strain CH34 has adapted to these harsh conditions through multiple heavy-metal resistance systems, encoded by the two indigenous megaplasmids, pMOL28 and pMOL30, on its chromosome(s).

[11][12][13] A case of a 74 year old man infected with Cupriavidus metallidurans has been documented,[14] possibly raising concerns about the safety of using the bacteria for industrial purposes.