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Controlled cobalt doping of magnetosomes in vivo

It is well known that certain microbes can biosynthesise nanoparticles of magnetic minerals such as magnetite. Chemical doping such nanoparticles can tailor their magnetic properties, making them useful for a range of applications. This landmark paper demonstrated cobalt doping using magnetotactic bacteria; a result previously thought impossible. A "News and Views" feature hightlighted the importance of our work, suggesting that current models of genetically driven biomineralisation may have to be reconsidered (Winklhofer, Nature Nanotechnol. 3, 135 (2008)). Other groups have subsequently demonstrated similar effects, and potential applications of the nanoparticles for cancer therapy and MRI have been reported.