Is Iron a Nutrient for Bacteria? The Vital and Volatile Role of Metals in Microbes
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                Iron is a critical nutrient for the growth and survival of nearly all bacterial species, despite its low bioavailability in oxygen-rich environments. For this reason, bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to scavenge, acquire, and regulate this essential metal to meet their metabolic needs while avoiding its toxicity.