Magnetic microbe genome attracting attention for biotech research

The smallest organisms to use a biological compass are **magnetotactic bacteria**, however mysteries remain about exactly how these bacteria create their cellular magnets. In a study published online in Genome Research, scientists have used genome sequencing to unlock new secrets about these magnetic microbes that could accelerate **biotechnology** and **nanotechnology** research. The shape and composition of magnetosomes are species- and strain-specific, suggesting that **magnetosome synthesis** is biologically controlled. Magnetosomes are currently difficult to harvest in large quantities or synthesize artificially, therefore deciphering how cells form magnetosomes is crucial if they are to be useful in new technologies. More "Physorg":[ http://www.physorg.com/news169229557.html]

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