Magnetic Beads in Biomedical Applications
Introduction
Magnetic particles are currently one of the most important materials in the industrial sector, where they have been widely used for biotechnological and biomedical applications such as carriers for recovery and for detection of DNA, proteins, viruses, and cells (Perez et al., 2002; Kramer et al., 2004; Gonzales and Krishnan, 2005). The major advantage of magnetic particles is that they can be easily manipulated by magnetic force, which enables rapid and easy separation of target molecules bound to the particles from reaction mixtures. Biomolecules such as DNA, biotin, and antibodies have been assembled onto magnetic particles and used as recognition materials for target recovery, separation, or detection.
The method chosen for biomolecule assembly is determined by the surface properties of the magnetic particles. Various methods of assembly onto magnetic particles have been reported such as electrostatic assembly (Goldman et al., 2002), covalent cross-linking avidin-biotin technology, membrane integration, and gene fusion techniques. The amount and stability of assembled biomolecules and the percentage of active biomolecules among assembled molecules are dependent on the method used for coupling. However, the fabrication techniques have not been standardized. As applications for magnetic particles in the biotechnology field increase, magnetic particles with greater functionality and novel methods for their production are in demand.
Conclusion
Magnetotactic bacteria synthesize uniform, nano-sized magnetite (Fe3O4) particles, which are referred to as “bacterial magnetic particles” (BacMPs). A thin lipid bilayer membrane envelops the individual BacMP, which confers high and even dispersion in aqueous solutions as compared to artificial magnetic particles, making them ideal biotechnological materials. To use these particles for biotechnological applications, it is important to attach functional molecules such as proteins, antibodies, peptides, or DNA. BacMP-specific proteins have been used as anchor proteins, which facilitate efficient localization and appropriate orientation of various functional proteins attached to BacMPs. We have developed several methods for modification and assembly of these functional organic molecules over the surface of BacMPs using chemical and genetic techniques.
Magnetic particles have been utilized as biomolecule carriers since the 1970s when applied research examined bioreactors using enzyme-immobilized magnetic particles. Since then, various types of synthetic and bioengineered magnetic particles have been produced, modified, and enhanced. These magnetic particles have been widely used in place of centrifugation, filter, and chromatography separations, and applied to purifications of biological matter including target cells, proteins, and nucleic acids.
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