New Tool for Studying Magnetic, Self-Propelled Bacteria that Resemble Compass Needles
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 - 10:50
in Biology & Nature
In the Marvel Comics universe, Professor Xavier and the X-Men are only able to fend off archrival Magneto, the magnetic mutant with the ability to control metals, once they understand the scope of his powers. To better understand the behavior of the microbial world's Magnetos -- magnetically influenced water-dwellers known as magnetotactic bacteria -- three researchers have developed a tool that allows these microscopic species to be studied more easily, especially in their natural environment.