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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

A microrotary motor powered by bacteria.

Yuichi Hiratsuka¹, Makoto Miyata, Tetsuya Tada

¹Gene Function Research Center, Advanced Semiconductor Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8562, Japan. yhira@iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|September 5, 2006

Summary

Researchers developed a novel microrotary motor using the bacterium Mycoplasma mobile to drive a silicon dioxide rotor. This bio-hybrid machine efficiently converts chemical energy into mechanical work, mimicking biological systems.

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Area of Science:

Biomimetic engineering
Micro-robotics
Synthetic biology

Background:

Biological molecular motors offer efficient energy conversion and self-assembly capabilities.
Integrating biological components with synthetic devices can create advanced hybrid micromachines.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel microrotary motor by interfacing biological materials with synthetic components.
To demonstrate the potential of using bacteria to power micro-scale devices.

Main Methods:

A 20-micrometer silicon dioxide rotor was fabricated on a silicon track.
The gliding bacterium Mycoplasma mobile was utilized as the driving force for the rotor.
The system was fueled by glucose, providing energy for the bacterial motor.

Main Results:

A functional microrotary motor was successfully constructed and operated.
The Mycoplasma mobile successfully drove the silicon dioxide rotor on the silicon track.
The bio-hybrid motor demonstrated efficient conversion of chemical energy (glucose) into mechanical work.

Conclusions:

This study presents a viable hybrid micromachine powered by a biological motor.
Mycoplasma mobile can be effectively utilized to drive synthetic micro-devices.
This approach offers a pathway towards self-powered, biologically-inspired micro-machines.