Application of Magnetic Particles from Magnetic Bacteria

Magnetic bacteria synthesize magnetic particles which are aligned in chains and enveloped by a membrane. Magnetic particles isolated from magnetic bacteria could be useful because they are small in size, covered with lipid bilayers and do not aggregate. We have studied the mass culture of magnetic bacteria and their characterization and the application of bacterial magnetic particles. This review describes some of the recent advances towards bio-technological and medical applications of bacterial magnetic particles. Enzymes and antibodies may be immobilized on bacterial magnetic particles. These enzyme-magnetic particle and antibody-magnetic particle conjugates may then be used to produce biosensors for glucose and immunoglobulins, respectively. Bacterial magnetic particles have also been introduced into red blood cells by cell fusion, and into leucocytes by phagocytosis. Moreover, gene cloning system of magnetic bacteria was also developed.