生物磁石の利用に関する基礎的研究

概要

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Magnetic bacteria synthesize nano-sized bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs), which offer high technological potential as they can be conveniently manipulated with magnetic force. BMPs are ultrafine magnetite crystals (50-100 nm diameter) of regular morphology produced by Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. Magnetic structures aligned in chains are thought to function as biological compass needles allowing the bacterium to migrate along redox gradients through the Earth's geomagnetic field lines. Despite the discovery of this unique group of microorganisms several decades ago, the mechanisms of magnetic crystal biomineralization have yet to be fully elucidated. The present article describes the current knowledge of the genes and proteins involved in magnetite formation in magnetic bacteria and the biotechnological applications of BMPs in interdisciplinary fields of nanobiotechnology, medicine and environmental management.
公益社団法人日本生物工学会の論文
2005-01-25