Detection of BW-1 virus eating sulfate and producing 2 different types of magnetic beads

The group of researchers led by microbiologist Dennis Bazylinski works at Nevada Las Vegas University, USA; and members: Tanya Prozorov, Ames laboratory scientist, and the researcher of the characteristics of cultured bacteria; Dr. Christopher Lefèvre, Ph.D., found a new bacterium, (named BW-1), in the Badwater basin on the banks of Death Valley National Park, California State and Nevada State, USA. some of the features are unusual: While some bacteria (like migratory birds) use tiny magnets to navigate, the BW-1 bacteria produce two types of magnetic particles. different.

The results of this study were published in Science, published December 23, 2011.

"For many years, our research group has studied many different bacteria using microscopes (electron) with subsequent measurements of magnetic properties. Usually these types of bacteria Only one of two magnetic beads (magnetite or greigite) is produced. The BW-1 bacteria is a very unusual case . " Prozorov said.

"Clearly, determining the morphology and chemistry of intracellular magnetic nanoparticles is the key to understanding their physical properties," Prozorov added. "Despite efforts to produce nanoparticles in vitro, microbial crystals produced by bacteria still exhibit outstanding properties, representing different shapes such as rods and teeth" .

DNA analysis results show that the production of magnetite and greigite of BW-1 bacteria can be controlled by separate gene sets. This finding is important for mass production of magnetic particles ( magnetite and greigite ) for specific applications.

Due to a slight difference in physical and magnetic properties, greigite magnetic particles have shown superiority to iron oxide in some applications. Greigite is also an important magnetic mineral in sediment recording, and is believed to play a significant role in the circulation of iron sulfur in modern environments, and in ancient environments.

The results of this study provide insight into the chemical conditions under which this greigite magnetic particle is formed, and will attract the interest of a large scientific community, from microbial home Study to material scientist and cosmologist.