Response to Comments on A Bacterium That Can Grow Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus

Concerns have been raised about our recent study suggesting that arsenic ( As) substitutes for phosphorus in major biomolecules of a bacterium that tolerates extreme As concentrations. We welcome the opportunity to better explain our methods and results and to consider alternative interpretations. We maintain that our interpretation of As substitution, based on multiple congruent lines of evidence, is viable.