Abstract
Magnetotactic bacteria are microscale complex natural systems that synthesize magnetic nanoparticles through biologically controlled mineralization. Nanoparticles produced by this process are biocompatible due to the presence of surrounding membranes. The mechanism controlling synthesis is cost-effective and is executed by complex genomes (operons). The results are monodispersed magnetic nanoparticles displaying advantages over polydispersed ones synthesized by physical and chemical methods. In this work, we isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa from clinical samples and demonstrated its ability to biosynthesize magnetic nanoparticles. P. aeruginosa was thrived in a carbon-minimal medium supplemented with iron at low pH. The cells aligned parallel to a magnetic field, confirming their magnetic properties. The magnetic nanoparticles were extracted, purified, and characterized using electron microscopy, magnetometry, dynamic light scattering, and X-ray diffraction. This work represents the first isolation of a magnetotactic bacterium from clinical samples. The aerobic nature of these bacteria allows them to be easily cultured under laboratory conditions, unlike their well-known microaerophilic counterparts. The biosynthesized magnetic nanoparticles can be used in many applications, including magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutics (i.e., magnetic hyperthermia).
Highlights
Magnetotactic bacteria are microscale complex natural systems that synthesize magnetic nanoparticles through biologically controlled mineralization
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are bacteria whose locomotion is influenced by magnetic fields[1]
We report the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles from clinical samples of P. aeruginosa
Summary
Magnetotactic bacteria are microscale complex natural systems that synthesize magnetic nanoparticles through biologically controlled mineralization. Nanoparticles produced by this process are biocompatible due to the presence of surrounding membranes. We isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa from clinical samples and demonstrated its ability to biosynthesize magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) produced by these bacteria have the potential for diverse applications in health sciences and applied biology[8]. These include imaging of interior organs, precision transport of medications to their sites of action, and killing tumors through magnetic hyperthermia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that clinical samples of P. aeruginosa have been used to obtain magnetosomes through culture in a simple chemical medium
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