Bacterial magnetosomes: Molecular modelling of magnetite biomineralization and generation of nano-magnetic hybrid materials

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Magnetosomes are bacterial organelles which comprise membrane-enveloped nanocrystalline particles of magnetite. They are biosynthesized by highly controlled biomineralization, which results in unique biochemical, crystalline, and magnetic properties that make them highly interesting for use in a number of biomedical and nanotechnological applications.We will use a stepwise bottom-up approach, which based on bacterial magnetosome synthesis will yield novel, multifunctional nanomagnetic hybrid materials. Genetic engineering of both the inorganic magnetic core and the enveloping biological membrane will be used to generate tailored nanomaterials with tunable properties. We will fabricate magnetic nanoparticles with variable sizes and magnetic characteristics that express molecular recognition groups, fluorophores, or antibody fragments. Within a collaborative project, surface-functionalized magnetosome particles will be used for binding and magnetic assembly of diatom biosilica. Finally, a variety of mineralization-active peptides will be expressed on the surface of magnetosomes, which will be employed for the peptidedirected in situ synthesis of inorganic coatings with use for various applications.