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Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1
Published on: October 17, 2018
Some have it all: multicellularity, magnetotaxis and photokinesis in one bacterium
1Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Prof. Albareda 1, Granada, 18008, Spain.
Abstract:
Bacteria developed many different ways to orient themselves in the environment. Magnetoreception with following motility along Earth's magnetic field lines and photoreception with subsequent positive or negative phototaxis allow bacteria to optimally position themselves for survival and growth. Some bacteria show both magnetotactic and photoresponsive behaviour and additionally live in a multicellular organism adding another layer of complexity. A novel study by Qian and colleagues visualized different species of multicellular magnetotactic bacteria and shed light on their reproductive as well as photoresponsive behaviour. This study paves the way towards understanding the evolutionary advantage of multicellular lifestyle of prokaryotes.
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