Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
10:07
Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1
Published on: October 17, 2018
15.8K
Magnetotaxis Enables Magnetotactic Bacteria to Navigate in Flow
Saeed Rismani Yazdi1, Reza Nosrati1, Corey A Stevens2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|December 6, 2017
Summary
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) use magnetotaxis for directed movement in diverse flow conditions. Their ability to overcome currents depends on orientation, with perpendicular swimming reducing drag for enhanced transport.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biophysics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are crucial for biogeochemical cycles and microtransport in aquatic systems.
- Understanding MTB navigation in complex fluid environments is key for their application in microscale transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how magnetotaxis influences the movement of Magnetospirillum magneticum in varying flow velocities and shear rates.
- To determine the factors affecting MTB's ability to overcome fluid currents.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microfluidics and high-speed imaging to observe MTB behavior.
- Quantified movement dynamics across a range of flow velocities (2–1260 µm s⁻¹) and shear rates (0.2–142 s⁻¹).
Main Results:
- Magnetotaxis enables directed MTB motion over long distances in relevant flow conditions.
- MTB overcome 2.3-fold higher flow velocities when swimming perpendicular to the current compared to upstream due to reduced drag.
- A threshold drag of 9.5 pN (550 µm s⁻¹) was identified for overcoming counterdirectional flow.
Conclusions:
- MTB's efficiency in navigating flows is dependent on flow characteristics and their orientation relative to the magnetic field.
- Findings provide insights into MTB interactions with aquatic environments and potential for in vivo applications like microbiorobotics and drug delivery.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Other Unique Bacteria
95
Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic...
95
01:27Cell Inclusions
249
Prokaryotic cells possess a variety of inclusions that play crucial roles in nutrient storage, metabolic processes, and environmental adaptation. These structures enable bacteria to thrive under fluctuating environmental conditions by storing essential resources and optimizing their metabolic efficiency.Carbon Storage: Poly-β-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Glycogen GranulesBacteria frequently store excess carbon in specialized granules. Poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) granules are lipid...
249
01:18Flagella and Motility in Bacteria
814
Flagella are specialized, thread-like structures that extend from a bacteria's cell envelope. They play a crucial role in motility and chemotaxis. Their structural organization and functioning exemplify sophisticated biological engineering, enabling bacterial survival and adaptability in diverse environments.Structure of the FlagellumA bacterial flagellum consists of three key components: the filament, the hook, and basal body. The filament, a long, helical structure composed of repeating...
814
01:27Chemotaxis in E. coli
152
Chemotaxis in Escherichia coli is a sensory-driven motility mechanism that enables bacteria to navigate chemical gradients, moving toward beneficial environments while avoiding harmful conditions. This process relies on a signal transduction system integrating external chemical cues with flagellar motor control.Chemoreceptors and Signal DetectionE. coli detects chemical gradients through methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), which are membrane-bound chemoreceptors that sense attractants...
152
01:21Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration
3.7K
Cells can detect chemical cues in their environment and reorganize the cytoskeleton to migrate toward them or away from them. This directional migration, called chemotaxis, is essential during embryogenesis and development, immune response, tissue repair and regeneration, and reproduction. These chemical cues can either attract or repel the cell's movement. For example, axon development is determined by a combination of chemoattractants and chemorepellents that direct the growing axon...
3.7K
01:30Magnetism
6.8K
Magnets are commonly found in everyday objects, such as toys, hangers, elevators, doorbells, and computer devices. Experimentation on these magnets shows that all magnets have two poles: one is labeled north (N) and the other south (S). Magnetic poles repel if they are alike and attract if unlike. Moreover, both poles of a magnet attract unmagnetized pieces of iron.
An individual magnetic pole cannot be isolated. No matter how small, every piece of a magnet contains a north pole and a south...
An individual magnetic pole cannot be isolated. No matter how small, every piece of a magnet contains a north pole and a south...
6.8K