Magnetotactic Bacteria and Their Significance for P Systems and Nanoactuators

Abstract

In the framework of the dialog between P systems and Microbiology, in this paper we focus on the magnetotactic behavior of magnetotactic bacteria, namely the orientation along the Earth’s geomagnetic field lines. Magnetic properties and magnetotactic behavior could be used to obtained micro- and nanoactuators for the desired distribution at nanometer level of either intact magnetotactic bacteria or isolated intact magnetosomes with significant potential application in the construction of magnetic logic gates. Furthermore, (precise) distribution of intact magnetotactic bacteria or isolated intact magnetosomes by carefully using rather strong external magnetic fields could be described by P systems as a discontinuous process, whose potential for nanoactuators and magnetic microchips is increasing in evidence.