A flagellum based study of semiconductor nanofabrication through magnetotaxis

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials science
• Microbiology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1) are magnetotactic alpha-proteobacteria.
• Their flagella are composed of flagellin protein with four sub-domains (D0, D1, D2, D3).
• The outermost D3 sub-domain is exposed to the environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between flagellin D3 and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs).
• To assess the impact of SWNTs on the viability and magnetotaxis of AMB-1.
• To explore the potential of AMB-1 as a carrier for SWNTs in nanofabrication.

Main Methods:

• Computational analysis of D3-SWNT interactions, considering SWNT size and type.
• Experimental investigation of AMB-1 viability and magnetotaxis in the presence of SWNTs.

Main Results:

• SWNTs exhibit significant electrostatic and van der Waals interactions with glycine and threonine residues in flagellin D3.
• AMB-1 maintained viability and magnetotactic behavior in the presence of SWNTs.
• No toxic effects of SWNTs on AMB-1 were observed.

Conclusions:

• Flagellin D3 is a key interaction site for SWNTs.
• AMB-1 is a robust organism, unaffected by SWNTs.
• AMB-1 flagella can serve as carriers for SWNTs in semiconductor nanofabrication applications.