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Magnetosomes: biogenic iron nanoparticles produced by environmental bacteria

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Abstract

The scientific community’s interest in magnetotactic bacteria has increased substantially in recent decades. These prokaryotes have the particularity of synthesizing nanomagnets, called magnetosomes. The majority of research is based on several scientific questions. Where do magnetotactic bacteria live, what are their characteristics, and why are they magnetic? What are the molecular phenomena of magnetosome biomineralization and what are the physical characteristics of magnetosomes? In addition to scientific curiosity to better understand these stunning organisms, there are biotechnological opportunities to consider. Magnetotactic bacteria, as well as magnetosomes, are used in medical applications, for example cancer treatment, or in environmental ones, for example bioremediation. In this mini-review, we investigated all the aspects mentioned above and summarized the currently available knowledge.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Damien Faivre for his scientific contribution, Caroline Monteil for her help with the genomic data representation, and Marina Siponen for careful reading of the manuscript.

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  1. UMR 7265, Aix Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, LBC, Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, France

    Anissa Dieudonné, David Pignol & Sandra Prévéral

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  1. Anissa Dieudonné
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Dieudonné, A., Pignol, D. & Prévéral, S. Magnetosomes: biogenic iron nanoparticles produced by environmental bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 103, 3637–3649 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-019-09728-9

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