Work

Magnetosome membranes: A promising biogenic nanomodel for drug-membrane interaction studies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Membrane models are available for the in vitro investigation of drug-membrane interactions. One potential new model for this purpose is bacterial magnetosomes, nanometric magnetic crystals surrounded by a protein-rich bilayer isolated from magnetotactic bacteria. In this work, we evaluated the relationship between the hydrophobicity of three drugs with different partition coefficients, and their adsorption into the magnetosome membrane. Adsorption values showed a clear positive trend with the partition coefficients (log P), suggesting that membrane association increases with compound lipophilicity. We also compared loading capacities between the magnetosomes of prismatic and cuboctahedral morphologies. Despite their larger volume and the smaller specific area, prismatic magnetosomes could adsorb a 1.6 times greater concentration of fluorescent-labeled poly- l -lysine. Different protein denaturation protocols were also tested to investigate their effects on membrane functionalization. In this brief communication, we propose a novel and facile utilization of magnetosomes as low-cost and magnetically responsive nanotools for drug characterization. • Magnetosomes are proposed as an innovative in vitro model for drug–membrane interaction studies. • A strong correlation (R 2 > 0.95) was observed between drug partition coefficients and adsorption on magnetosome membranes. • Prismatic magnetosomes showed 1.6× higher adsorption of fluorescent poly- l -lysine compared to cuboctahedral ones, despite lower surface area. • Different protein denaturation methods were tested to tailor membrane surface properties for functionalization. • Magnetosomes are presented as low-cost, magnetically responsive, and bio-derived nanotools for drug delivery and interaction studies.

Source: Colloids and Interface Science Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.colcom.2026.100876

Authors: Felipe Silveira, Tarcísio Correa, Fernanda Abreu

Institution: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Language: English

Topic: Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,830

Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro