magnetotactic bacteria Archives

Cuts of the 3D magnetic volume of the fossil in three different heights: The blue/red colour indicates the in-plane component of the magnetisation, with magnetic moments swirling around a central line, forming a vortex pattern much like a tornado (see projections at the bottom). The 3D reconstruction has been obtained based on 140 individual images at different angles. CREDIT Jeffrey Neethirajan/ MPI CPfs and Sergio Valencia / HZB

Did Marine Life In The Paleocene Navigate Using Earth’s Magnetic Field?

by Keith CowingOctober 24, 2025October 22, 2025

Some ancient marine organisms produced mysterious magnetic particles of unusually large size, which can now be found as fossils in marine sediments. An international team has succeeded in mapping the […]

Electron microscopy image and cartoon of a MMB consortium, highlighting its characteristics features that includes a hollow space at the center of the cell consortium. George Shaible et al. PLOS Biology 2024

Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Examining The Multicellular Behavior Of Magnetotactic Bacteria

by Keith CowingApril 3, 2025

In a recent study, NASA-supported researchers gained new insight into the lives of bacteria that survive by grouping together as if they were a multi-cellular organism. The organisms in the […]

(a) FE-SEM image of the varnish layer showing the presence of magnetotactic multicellular aggregate (MMA) type entity embedded in the varnish layer marked by yellow arrows ; inset a1 shows magnified morphology of MMA type entity, showcasing clear morphological features; inset a2 is a SEM image of magnetotactic multicellular aggregate (MMA) (b) FE-SEM image displaying clusters of chain-like magnetosome morphology in the varnish layer; (d) High resolution magnified FE-SEM image from panel c indicated by left most blue arrow illustrating the chain-like morphology of magnetosomes present in the varnish layer, with an inset depicting a graphic description of magnetosomes' shape. -- Indian Ministry of Science & Technology

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release

Ladakh’s Rock Varnish May Help Identify Habitable Environments In Space

by Keith CowingJuly 26, 2024July 26, 2024

Magnetofossils– fossil remains of magnetic particles produced by magnetotactic bacteria have been spotted in rock varnish layers in Ladakh. The study suggesting biotic processes in the formation of rock varnish […]

A The scanning electron micrograph and (B, C) transmission electron micrographs of MTB. White arrows indicate magnetosome chains, and white triangles indicate granules. D Terrestrial extremotolerant MTB and implications for ancient Mars. MTB are found to be able to resist various hostile settings, such as irradiation, hypomagnetic exposure, microgravity, metal stress, hypersalinity, acidic/hyperalkaline pH, and freezing/moderately hyperthermal temperatures. MTB emerged early in Earth’s history. Since ancient Mars was also characterized by many MTB-favorable aquatic/sediment oxic-anoxic conditions and a global magnetic field, it is proposed that Mars may have harbored MTB-like life in the past. -- The ISME Journal

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report

Renaissance For Magnetotactic Bacteria In Astrobiology

by Keith CowingFebruary 8, 2024February 8, 2024

Capable of forming magnetofossils similar to some magnetite nanocrystals observed in the Martian meteorite ALH84001, magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) once occupied a special position in the field of astrobiology during the […]

Illustrations of magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) under electron microscopes, and MTB from extreme environments on Earth and putatively ancient Mars. A The scanning electron micrograph and (B, C) transmission electron micrographs of MTB. White arrows indicate magnetosome chains, and white triangles indicate granules. D Terrestrial extremotolerant MTB and implications for ancient Mars. MTB are found to be able to resist various hostile settings, such as irradiation, hypomagnetic exposure, microgravity, metal stress, hypersalinity, acidic/hyperalkaline pH, and freezing/moderately hyperthermal temperatures. MTB emerged early in Earth’s history. Since ancient Mars was also characterized by many MTB-favorable aquatic/sediment oxic-anoxic conditions and a global magnetic field, it is proposed that Mars may have harbored MTB-like life in the past. -- ISME

Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report

Renaissance For Magnetotactic Bacteria In Astrobiology

by Keith CowingNovember 29, 2023November 29, 2023

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Magnetic Foraminifera Thrive In The Mariana Trench

by Keith CowingJune 12, 2022February 4, 2023

Unicellular magnetic microorganisms include magnetotactic bacteria and some protist species. Although magnetosome magnetite in bacteria (prokaryotes) is well studied, little is known regarding the characteristics and origin of magnetic minerals […]