This paper deals with lead biosorption by Myxococcus xanthus biomass in which dry biomass, accumulating up to 1·28 mmol of lead g−1, is demonstrated to be a more efficient biosorbent than wet biomass. Dry biomass biosorption was found to be very rapid, reaching equilibrium after 5–10 min. Culture age, the initial lead concentration and pH affected this process, but temperature did not. Furthermore, by using sodium citrate as a desorbent agent, 92·17% of the biosorbed lead could be recovered. It was also established that the biosorbed lead is located on the cellular wall and within the characteristic extracellular polysaccharide of this micro‐organism.