Formation Of Magnetite By Bacteria And Its Application

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry;  Genetics
Article Date: 18 Jun 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Magnetic particles offer high technological potential since they can be conveniently collected with an external magnetic field. Magnetotactic bacteria synthesize bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) with well - controlled size and morphology.

BacMPs are individually covered with thin organic membrane confers high and even dispersion in aqueous solutions compared to artificial magnetites making them ideal biotechnological materials. Recent molecular studies including genome sequence, mutagenesis, gene expression and proteome analyses indicated a number of genes and proteins which play important roles for BacMP biomineralization.

Some of the genes and proteins identified from these studies have allowed us to express functional proteins efficiently onto BacMPs, through genetic engineering, permitting the preservation of the protein activity, leading to a simple preparation of functional protein - magnetic particle complexes.

They were applicable to high - sensitive immunoassay, drug screening and cell separation.

Furthermore, fully automated single nucleotide polymorphism discrimination and DNA recovery systems have been developed to use these functionalized BacMPs. The nano - sized fine magnetic particles offer vast potential in new nano - techniques.

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Journal of the Royal Society Interface is the Society's cross-disciplinary publication promoting research at the interface between the physical and life sciences. It offers rapidity, visibility and high-quality peer review and is ranked fourth in JCR's multidisciplinary category.

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