About this Research Topic
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) possess a unique ability to navigate along magnetic field lines. These microorganisms biomineralize intracellular magnetic nanoparticles, granting them a magnetic orientation that facilitates their movement in aquatic environments, such as salt marshes, seawater, and freshwater lakes. Despite extensive studies, many aspects of MTB biology, including the mechanisms underlying magnetosome formation, their diverse ecological roles, and potential applications, remain poorly understood.
This Research Topic aims to explore MTB further, shedding light on their mechanisms, applications, and ecological significance. We encourage contributions spanning from fundamental research on the molecular mechanisms of magnetosome biogenesis to applied studies harnessing the potential of MTB in biotechnology and environmental remediation.
We encourage submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Methods, Perspective and Opinion articles on the following subjects and beyond:
• Advances in imaging and microscopy techniques for visualizing magnetosome organization, dynamics, and interactions with cellular component;
• Omics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying MTB physiology and magnetotaxis;
• Genomic and metagenomic analyses to uncover the diversity and evolution of magnetotactic bacteria and their magnetosome genes;
• Utilization of MTB in bioremediation strategies such as removal of heavy metals and organic contaminants from aquatic environments;
• Utilization of MTB and magnetosomes in biotechnology such as targeted cancer therapy;
• Ecological roles of MTB in various natural environments, including freshwater and marine habitats.
This Research Topic aims to explore MTB further, shedding light on their mechanisms, applications, and ecological significance. We encourage contributions spanning from fundamental research on the molecular mechanisms of magnetosome biogenesis to applied studies harnessing the potential of MTB in biotechnology and environmental remediation.
We encourage submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Methods, Perspective and Opinion articles on the following subjects and beyond:
• Advances in imaging and microscopy techniques for visualizing magnetosome organization, dynamics, and interactions with cellular component;
• Omics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying MTB physiology and magnetotaxis;
• Genomic and metagenomic analyses to uncover the diversity and evolution of magnetotactic bacteria and their magnetosome genes;
• Utilization of MTB in bioremediation strategies such as removal of heavy metals and organic contaminants from aquatic environments;
• Utilization of MTB and magnetosomes in biotechnology such as targeted cancer therapy;
• Ecological roles of MTB in various natural environments, including freshwater and marine habitats.
Keywords: Magnetotactic bacteria, Magnetosomes, Magnetotaxis, Biomineralization, Microbial ecology, Magnetosome genes, Freshwater and marine environments, Biotechnological applications, Magnetosome biogenesis
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
