Applications and Advantages

What is the advantage of working with magnetosomes? Why is the magnetosome preferable to common magnets?

• The size

  Each magnetosome is made of a double layer lipid membrane surrounding an extremely small crystal of magnetite (15 – 20 to 120 nm). The size and the shape of the crystal is determined by the proteins responsible for the biomineralization of the magnetite. Therefore, the characteristics can be changed with genetic manipulation. These changes modify the magnetic properties of the magnetite crystals. For instance, extremely small magnetos (up to 20 nm) are characterized by a property called superparamagnetism. Such characteristic consists in the lost of the magnetism by the nanoparticles whenever the magnetic field surrounding them is taken away or switched off, resulting in a reversible system.

• The membrane

  The membrane surrounding the magnetite crystal comes from an invagination of the bacterial cell membrane. The lipid membrane allows the use of magnetosomes in biological systems. In addition, the small size reduces the magnetic forces, resulting in a biocompatible tools. With our project we want to prove that the magnetosome membrane can carry a specific protein linked to a magnetosome protein (MamC) or even a dye or a drug can also be carried.

• Availability

  Magnetotactic bacteria can be found in aquatic sediments. Since they so abundant in the environment, they can be easily collected or ordered. Once isolated and grown in the lab, they produce a large amount of magnetosome. See here how we obtained our own strain!