Komeili Lab
Despite their apparent simplicity, bacterial cells are defined by a high degree of subcellular complexity and organization. One of the more dramatic examples of subcellular differentiation is the formation of protein-bounded and lipid-bounded organelles by a variety of bacterial species (Murat, Byrne and Komeili, Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 2010). In my group we use the magnetosome organelles of magnetotactic bacteria as a model to understand the molecular mechanisms of compartmentalization and biomineral production in bacteria.
The magnetosome chains of magnetotactic bacteria are one of the best-studied examples of membranous bacterial organelles. Magnetosome chains (see image to the right) contain 15-20 approximately 50-nm magnetite crystals that act like compass needles to orient magnetotactic bacteria in geomagnetic fields, thereby simplifying their search for their preferred microaerophilic environments (Komeili, FEMS Rev Micro, 2012 and see videos). The unique properties of magnetosomal magnetite crystals have drawn attention to their potential use in biotechnology, bioremediation, and geobiology and have made them a genetically tractable system for the study of biomineralization. In addition to these applications, the cell biological characteristics of magnetosomes make them ideal for the study of organelle biology in bacteria. Each magnetite crystal within a magnetosome is surrounded by a lipid bilayer, and specific soluble and transmembrane proteins are sorted to the magnetosome membrane (see videos). These observations suggest that to build a magnetosome a bacterium must be able to generate a membranous compartment, target the appropriate set of proteins to this membrane and control their number and position within a cell.
In my group we have developed the tools to understand the molecular basis of magnetosome formation and magnetite biomineralization in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. These advances have helped us to uncover the potential function of a large number of "magnetosome genes." The current efforts in the lab are centered around defining the specific functions of these factors and leveraging this information to develop magnetosome-based applications. In addition, we are interested in understanding the broad diversity of magnetosome formation through the study of various species of magnetotactic bacteria. For more information visit the Research and People pages on this site.
The magnetosome chains of magnetotactic bacteria are one of the best-studied examples of membranous bacterial organelles. Magnetosome chains (see image to the right) contain 15-20 approximately 50-nm magnetite crystals that act like compass needles to orient magnetotactic bacteria in geomagnetic fields, thereby simplifying their search for their preferred microaerophilic environments (Komeili, FEMS Rev Micro, 2012 and see videos). The unique properties of magnetosomal magnetite crystals have drawn attention to their potential use in biotechnology, bioremediation, and geobiology and have made them a genetically tractable system for the study of biomineralization. In addition to these applications, the cell biological characteristics of magnetosomes make them ideal for the study of organelle biology in bacteria. Each magnetite crystal within a magnetosome is surrounded by a lipid bilayer, and specific soluble and transmembrane proteins are sorted to the magnetosome membrane (see videos). These observations suggest that to build a magnetosome a bacterium must be able to generate a membranous compartment, target the appropriate set of proteins to this membrane and control their number and position within a cell.
In my group we have developed the tools to understand the molecular basis of magnetosome formation and magnetite biomineralization in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. These advances have helped us to uncover the potential function of a large number of "magnetosome genes." The current efforts in the lab are centered around defining the specific functions of these factors and leveraging this information to develop magnetosome-based applications. In addition, we are interested in understanding the broad diversity of magnetosome formation through the study of various species of magnetotactic bacteria. For more information visit the Research and People pages on this site.
Recent Lab News
January 2013: Komeili lab shares Keck Foundation Award for collaborative project with David Schaffer, Mikhail Shapiro and Steve Conolly. See more here.
