JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments
Microbiology
0 views • 3:26 min • August 29th, 2025
Magnetospirillum are motile bacteria that thrive in low oxygen.
They produce magnetic nanocrystals that act as magnetic dipoles, helping them navigate the geomagnetic field toward an optimal oxygen concentration.
To culture Magnetospirillum, take oxygen-free liquid media. Inject a controlled volume of oxygen to establish microaerobic conditions, add bacteria, and incubate.
Over time, turbidity increases, indicating bacterial growth.
To prepare a semi-solid culture, use a medium containing a pink oxygen indicator that becomes colorless in the low-oxygen zone, marking the oxic-anoxic interface (OAI) with an optimal
oxygen concentration.
Inoculate the bacteria at the OAI, seal the tube, and incubate.
The bacteria multiply to form a band that migrates upward as oxygen is consumed.
To assess magnetotactic behavior, prepare a hanging drop of the cultured bacteria and place a magnet near it.
Under a microscope, observe directional swimming toward the magnet and reversal of movement when the magnet is flipped.
To inoculate strains MSR-1, AMB-1, and MS-1 in liquid medium, flame the tops of the oxygen and fresh medium bottles by applying ethanol on the stoppers and passing them through the flame of a
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