IGEM:Cambridge/2008/Concept: Difference between revisions
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[[IGEM:Cambridge/2008/Notebook/Magnetic Bacteria | ==[[IGEM:Cambridge/2008/Notebook/Magnetic_Bacteria|<font style="color:#c9ffe5">Magnetic Bacteria</font>]]== | ||
We are investigating the formation of magnetosomes (membrane bound magnetite particles) in magnetotactic bacteria. This process is believed to take place in the following steps: i) production of invaginations along the inner membrane ii) uptake of iron into these invaginations iii) biomineralisation of the iron into magnetite crystals of a specific size and shape iv) axial alignment of the magnetosomes. | |||
This mechanism gives the bacteria the ability to align itself like a compass needle along geomagnetic field lines. We are attempting to engineer the uptake of soluble iron into membrane invaginations in E.coli, and stimulate formation of magnetite using genes from Magnetospirillum. | |||
[[IGEM:Cambridge/2008/Brainstorming | Brainstorming]] | [[IGEM:Cambridge/2008/Brainstorming | Brainstorming]] |
Revision as of 07:08, 1 September 2008
Magnetic Bacteria
We are investigating the formation of magnetosomes (membrane bound magnetite particles) in magnetotactic bacteria. This process is believed to take place in the following steps: i) production of invaginations along the inner membrane ii) uptake of iron into these invaginations iii) biomineralisation of the iron into magnetite crystals of a specific size and shape iv) axial alignment of the magnetosomes.
This mechanism gives the bacteria the ability to align itself like a compass needle along geomagnetic field lines. We are attempting to engineer the uptake of soluble iron into membrane invaginations in E.coli, and stimulate formation of magnetite using genes from Magnetospirillum.