The Effect of Magnetic Field Variation on Magnetosome Formation
in the Magnetotactic Bacterium Magnetospirillum Gryphiswaldense
Ryan Welsh '07

Ryan with his home-made coil platforms

Abstract:

   Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense (DSM 6361 obtained from DSMZ) was obtained and cultured effectively in lab using a method emulating the microaerophilic environment in which the bacterium naturally forms magnetosomes. The cells were then grown under variable magnetic fields: low constant field, high constant field, AC field, and 6 Hz oscillating field for 24 hours. The magnetosome chain length for each treatment has been analyzed using the transmission electron microscope (TEM). At the present state of data analysis, no significant difference in magnetosome formation has been seen with the different treatments. However, in preparing for quantitative RT-PCR, marked differences in growth rate seem to have a direct correlation with the treatment. The qRT-PCR part of this experiment, designed to check for changes in regulation of magnetosome gene transcription, is currently underway.

   For more information, contact Dr. Catherine Jahncke:

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