Biological materials have acquired exceptional functional properties from simple biogenic components through millions of years of evolution. In this paper, we demonstrate that applying the nanoscale design principles of biological materials to engineering enables the creation of bio-inspired structures that surpass conventional industrial materials. As a specific example, magnetotactic bacteria synthesize magnetic nanoparticles within their cells, whose morphology and size are precisely regulated by Mms proteins, forming chain-like arrangements that enable navigation utilizing Earth’s geomagnetic field.
Furthermore, it was shown that artificial modification of these nanostructures is achievable by controlling protein expression through genetic manipulation. These findings provide new guidelines for the development of bio-inspired materials and are anticipated to contribute broadly to next-generation nanomanufacturing technologies and medical devices.
Sung, C.H., et al. Advance Materials, 37, e09281, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202509281
