Fabrication of Aligned Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Tobamoviruses

We used genetically modified tube-shaped tobamoviruses to produce 3 nm aligned magnetic nanoparticles. Amino acid residues facing the central channel of the virus were modified to increase the number of nucleation sites. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and superconducting quantum interference device analysis suggest chat the particles consisted of Co-Pt alloy. The use of tobamovirus mutants is a promising approach to making a variety of components that can be applied to fabricate nanometer-scaled electronic devices.