Biomineralization and biotechnological applications of bacterial magnetosomes

Magnetosomes intracellularly biomineralized by Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are membrane-enveloped nanoparticles of the magnetic minerals magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4). MTB thrive in oxic-anoxic interface and exhibit magnetotaxis due to the presence of magnetosomes. Because of the unique characteristic and bionavigation inspiration of magnetosomes, MTB has been a subject of study focused on by biologists, medical pharmacologists, geologists, and physicists since the discovery. We herein first briefly review the features of MTB and magnetosomes. The recent insights into the process and mechanism for magnetosome biomineralization including iron uptake, magnetosome membrane invagination, iron mineralization and magnetosome chain assembly are summarized in detail. Additionally, the current research progress in biotechnological applications of magnetosomes is also elucidated, such as drug delivery, MRI image contrast, magnetic hyperthermia, wastewater treatment, and cell separation. This review would expand our understanding of biomineralization and biotechnological applications of bacterial magnetosomes.

Automated summary

Magnetosomes produced by Magnetotactic bacteria through intracellular biomineralization are membrane-enveloped nanoparticles of magnetic minerals. Due to their unique characteristics and bionavigation inspiration, Magnetotactic bacteria have been a focus of study in the fields of biology, medicine, geology, and physics. This review provides a brief overview of the features of Magnetotactic bacteria and magnetosomes, and summarizes in detail the recent insights into the process and mechanism of magnetosome biomineralization. The current research progress in the biotechnological applications of magnetosomes is also discussed.