Magnetotactic bacteria, magnetofossils and their geological implications

Magnetotactic bacteria mineralize intracellular membrane-enveloped iron minerals of magnetite and/or greigite, known as magnetosomes that help cells to swim along the Earth’s magnetic field. In recent years, MTB have become an attractive model system for investigating the biogeomagnetism and biomineralization. The occurrence of MTB has been reported in aquatic environments from freshwater to marine ecosystems. However, their distribution across heterogeneous habitats remains unclear. In this presentation, the diversity, distribution, and magnetism of uncultured magnetotactic bacteria will be discussed.