Magnetotactic Bacteria: Biorobots for Targeted Therapies and Model Nanomagnetic Systems

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are aquatic microorganisms that biomineralize chains of membrane-enclosed magnetic nanoparticles called magnetosomes. Taking advantage of their self-propulsion capability provided by their flagella and the guidance capabilities ensured by their magnetosome chain, MTB are envisaged as biorobots. These can be guided and manipulated by external magnetic fields and are naturally attracted toward hypoxic areas, such as the tumor regions, while retaining the therapeutic and imaging capacities of the magnetosomes. In addition, MTB exhibit a series of characteristics that also make them very attractive for studies on fundamental magnetic properties. In fact, the arrangement of the magnetosomes in a 1D assembly already presents a great opportunity to better understand self-assembled nanostructures, and the high quality of magnetosomes also enables them as ideal candidates to study the change of the magnetic properties at the nanoscale. In this work, we will review the latest progress in the use of the MTB biorobots for targeted therapies and model nanomagnetic systems.