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Magnetotactic bacteria

About: Magnetotactic bacteria is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1118 publications have been published within this topic receiving 43741 citations.


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Scanning electron microscopy revealed site-specific formation of iron oxide crystals in substrate regions with immobilized proteins, which might provide an alternative method for the bottom-up fabrication of nano-sized magnetic particles.
Abstract: Mms6 is a small acidic protein which is tightly bound to magnetite in the bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. Mms6 has been previously shown to promote iron-binding capacity as well as modulate the size and morphology of magnetic iron oxide crystals in vitro . In this study, we synthesized iron oxide crystals by using a monolayer-modified substrate. A self-assembled monolayer of octadecyltrimethoxysilane was modified on a silicon substrate. Recombinant Mms6 protein was attached to the substrate through the hydrophobic interactions between the protein molecules and the monolayer. The immobilization of protein molecules on the substrate surface was confirmed by fluorescent labeling of these molecules and subsequent fluorescence microscopy. This protein-modified substrate was then used as a template for iron oxide crystal formation in a ferrous solution. Scanning electron microscopy revealed site-specific formation of iron oxide crystals in substrate regions with immobilized proteins. This use of proteins might provide an alternative method for the bottom-up fabrication of nano-sized magnetic particles.

11 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
09 Jan 2018-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: It is shown that the filamentous backbone is crucial for the robust assembly of the magnetic particles into a linear chain, which in turn is key for the functionality of the chain in cellular orientation and magnetically directed swimming, and underline the dynamic nature of the magnetosome chain.
Abstract: Magnetotactic bacteria orient in magnetic fields with the help of their magnetosome chain, a linear structure of membrane enclosed magnetic nanoparticles (magnetosomes) anchored to a cytoskeletal filament. Here, we use simulations to study the assembly and the stability of magnetosome chains. We introduce a computational model describing the attachment of the magnetosomes to the filament and their magnetic interactions. We show that the filamentous backbone is crucial for the robust assembly of the magnetic particles into a linear chain, which in turn is key for the functionality of the chain in cellular orientation and magnetically directed swimming. In addition, we simulate the response to an external magnetic field that is rotated away from the axis of the filament, an experimental method used to probe the mechanical stability of the chain. The competition between alignment along the filament and alignment with the external fields leads to the rupture of a chain if the applied field exceeeds a threshold value. These observations are in agreement with previous experiments at the population level. Beyond that, our simulations provide a detailed picture of chain rupture at the single cell level, which is found to happen through two abrupt events, which both depend on the field strength and orientation. The re-formation of the chain structure after such rupture is found to be strongly sped up in the presence of a magnetic field parallel to the filament, an observation that may also be of interest for the design of self-healing materials. Our simulations underline the dynamic nature of the magnetosome chain. More generally, they show the rich complexity of self-assembly in systems with competing driving forces for alignment.

11 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the magnetic interaction energies and the corresponding forces involved in the formation of magnetosomes is presented, and the propulsion of synthetic micro- or nanopropellers based on magnetic nanoparticles is briefly discussed.
Abstract: Magnetotactic bacteria navigate in the magnetic field of the Earth by aligning and swimming along field lines with the help of special magnetic organelles called magnetosomes. These organelles contain magnetic nanoparticles and are organized into chain structures in cells. Here we review recent work on the formation of these chains and provide some estimates of the magnetic interaction energies and the corresponding forces involved in this process. In addition, we briefly discuss the propulsion of synthetic micro- or nanopropellers based on magnetic nanoparticles.

11 citations

01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a detailed ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy analysis in concert with routinely used rock magnetic measurements to determine these parameters in a sediment record that documents the development of Lake Soppensee (Central Switzerland) since latest Pleistocene.
Abstract: SUMMARY Environmental magnetism uses the spatial and temporal occurrence of magnetic carriers as diagnostic tools to detect environmental changes. Concentration, composition, grain size and configuration of the carriers inferred from magnetic properties are key parameters, because they are indicative of the formation conditions of magnetic phases, and/or of processes such as diagenesis and weathering. We present a detailed ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy analysis in concert with routinely used rock magnetic measurements to determine these parameters in a sediment record that documents the development of Lake Soppensee (Central Switzerland) since latest Pleistocene. FMR spectroscopy monitors varying concentration of the predominant magnetite/maghemite by the spectral signal intensity, whereas the stable single domain and superparamagnetic states are determined by the signal shape at room and low temperature. Fitting and simulation of FMR spectra are successfully applied to samples with well-defined magnetite components in the sediment matrix. Clear evidence for the colonization of magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) in Lake Soppensee was possible by applying empirical spectral separation to measured FMR signals that yield two magnetite populations differing in their configuration, that is, dispersed and aligned in chains. Low temperature measurements showed that these MTB can be preserved as pure or oxidized magnetite. The FMR data set confirms and completes rock magnetic information obtained from the lacustrine sedimentary record. The advanced application of FMR spectroscopy in the presented study critically highlights the benefit of this rapid and non-destructive method for future analysis of magnetic properties in environmental studies.

11 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The hypothesis for the existence of structures that transfer the torque from the magnetosome chains to the whole cell during the orientation of magnetotactic bacteria to a magnetic field lines is strengthened.
Abstract: Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum are magnetotactic bacteria that form a single chain of magnetite magnetosomes within its cytoplasm. Here, we studied the ultrastructure of M. magnetotacticum by freeze-fracture and deep-etching to understand the spatial correlation between the magnetosome chain and the cell envelope and its possible implications for magnetotaxis. Magnetosomes were found mainly near the cell envelope, forming chains that were closely associated with the granular cytoplasmic material. The membrane surrounding the magnetosomes could be visualized in deep-etching preparations. Thin connections between magnetosome chains and the cell envelope were observed in deep-etching images. These results strengthen the hypothesis for the existence of structures that transfer the torque from the magnetosome chains to the whole cell during the orientation of magnetotactic bacteria to a magnetic field lines.

11 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
202339
202288
202137
202061
201950
201873