Poster abstracts

Poster number 113 submitted by Jianxin Sun

Exploration and Manipulation of Intrinsic Magnetism of Bacillus atrophaeus

Jianxin Sun (Chemical and biomolecular Engineering)

Abstract:
Bacillus is a genus of rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacteria, either obligate or facultative aerobic. Bacillus forms spores when facing environmental stresses, and spores of some species are found to oxidize Mn(II) to Mn3O4 and MnO2 enzymatically. While much literature exists describing the heat resistance and other properties of spores, our laboratory was the first to observe spores’ intrinsic magnetism. We believe that oxidized manganese causes intrinsic magnetism of Bacillus atrophaeus, with Mn3O4 contributing the most to this magnetism. I was trying to determine the elements responsible for the magnetism and we found Mn but little Fe. I was trying to quantify the amount of manganese on the surface of the spores, as well as inside spores. I also did XPS to check the status of manganese and tried to find the candidate gene which can make spores magnetic, scale up the culture of Bacillus and check the effect of surfactant on the aggregation and mobility of spores.

Keywords: Magnetism, Bacillus atrophaeus