Heating Efficiency of Different Magnetotactic Bacterial Species: Influence of Magnetosome Morphology and Chain Arrangement.

Magnetotactic bacteria have been proposed as ideal biological nanorobots due to the presence of an intracellular chain of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which allows them to be guided and controlled by external magnetic fields and provides them with theragnostic capabilities intrinsic to magnetic nanoparticles, such as magnetic hyperthermia for cancer treatment. Here, we study three different bacterial species, (MSR-1), (AMB-1), and (MV-1), which synthesize magnetite nanoparticles with different morphologies and chain arrangements. We analyzed the impact of these parameters on the effective magnetic anisotropy, , and the heating capacity or Specific Absorption Rate, SAR, under alternating magnetic fields.

Temporal and spatial resolution of magnetosome degradation at the subcellular level in a 3D lung carcinoma model.

Magnetic nanoparticles offer many exciting possibilities in biomedicine, from cell imaging to cancer treatment. One of the currently researched nanoparticles are magnetosomes, magnetite nanoparticles of high chemical purity synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria. Despite their therapeutic potential, very little is known about their degradation in human cells, and even less so of their degradation within tumours.

Magnetic imaging of individual magnetosome chains in magnetotactic bacteria.

While significant advances have been made in exploring and uncovering the promising potential of biomagnetic materials, persistent challenges remain on various fronts, notably in the characterization of individual elements. This study makes use of advanced modes of Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) and tailored MFM probes to characterize individual magnetotactic bacteria in different environments. The characterization of these elements posed a significant challenge, as the magnetosomes, besides presenting low magnetic signal, are embedded in bacteria of much larger size.

Intracellular transformation and disposal mechanisms of magnetosomes in macrophages and cancer cells.

Magnetosomes are magnetite nanoparticles biosynthesized by magnetotactic bacteria. Given their potential clinical applications for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, it is essential to understand what becomes of them once they are within the body. With this aim, here we have followed the intracellular long-term fate of magnetosomes in two cell types: cancer cells (A549 cell line), because they are the actual target for the therapeutic activity of the magnetosomes, and macrophages (RAW 264.