Many people probably remember playing with magnets as children, testing various household objects and their attraction to magnets. But what if scientists found a way to use the movement of magnetic bacteria to deliver medication precisely to the necessary location in the human body, bypassing unwanted effects on other body parts? This approach could open new possibilities for targeted treatment, reducing side effects and improving the effectiveness of various therapies.
That is exactly what scientists from the University of Latvia studied within the framework of the project "Biologically Motivated Models of Active Systems in an Electromagnetic Field," administered by the Latvian Science Council's Fundamental and Applied Research Program (FLPP). A research team led by Professor Andrejs Cēbers studied how different substances and organisms react to magnetic fields, using previously studied and published calculations to explain how substances and organisms respond. Through various experiments, they confirmed existing theories and expanded on them.
One of the most significant discoveries relates to bacteria that form swarms and move under the influence of a magnetic field.
"In nature, we see swarms of birds, fish, bees, and other animals. But how can living organisms react to a magnetic field when we remember from childhood that our own fingers often blocked metal from being attracted to a magnet? During our study, we discovered that even in river water, there are bacteria that contain tiny magnetic particles, and these bacteria are not harmful to human health."
These magnetic particles determine the bacteria's movement and direction in the magnetic field, resembling the motion of a compass needle. The magnetic field itself can be seen through its effect on surrounding objects—two magnets attract each other because they react to each other's magnetic fields.
Scientists discovered that various substances and organisms react to magnetic fields. Their task was to record these movements, identify patterns, and ensure that the movement repeated in the same way in controlled experiments. Researchers used mathematical models and experiments to study how a magnetic field influences different systems, such as the properties of magnetic fluids. Initially, fluids indicated recurring movement patterns in the magnetic field. Drops of liquid, influenced by magnetic forces, formed different shapes and even labyrinths. The formation of these patterns is linked to complex mathematical calculations, and the development of algorithms to describe them was one of the project's goals.
Why Move Magnetic Particles If We Know Magnets Attract Them?
The study aimed to understand particle movement to find ways to control it using magnets. Science fiction has long proposed ideas about implanting chips into the human body, but this discovery of magnetic bacteria movement could allow us to precisely control and position substances inside our bodies. Latvian researchers explored how microscopic objects, such as bacteria or magnetic particles, can be controlled using a magnetic field.
Scientists developed and experimentally tested models describing the reactions of active systems in an electromagnetic field. These systems include various substances and organisms, such as magnetotactic bacteria, magnetic particles, and flexible ferromagnetic filaments (long, elastic structures containing tiny magnetic particles). Researchers used mathematical models to describe these systems' behavior and predict their responses to external factors, particularly magnetic fields. They manipulated the position of magnets and created specific magnet movements in a specialized microscope. The studied objects formed particular shapes, stretched depending on the magnet's placement, and exhibited recurring movement patterns. To structure these observations, universal physical models were developed to explain and quantitatively describe the observed phenomena.
Most of the research took place in the laboratory, where these movements were recorded. A significant amount of time was spent adjusting variables to replicate precise movements predicted by the developed models. This was not the work of a single scientist. The team had previously studied magnetic substances, and with the discovery of these bacteria, biologists were brought into the project.
Finding Magnetic Bacteria in Latvia
One particular story highlights the diverse nature of research work. To determine whether magnetic bacteria exist in Latvia, scientists embarked on an expedition to the Ogre River. They retrieved bacteria from the riverbed, where they contain microscopic chains of magnetic particles. These bacteria live in dark, low-oxygen environments, such as the sandy bottom of the river. By collecting river water samples, the researchers had to "lure" the bacteria out of the sand using magnets. Once extracted, the water samples containing bacteria could be observed under a microscope to study their movement.
As a result, the research team developed new models to obtain quantitative conclusions about active system behavior.
The Future of Magnetic Research in Latvia
Latvian scientists have been studying the movement of magnetic fluids in magnetic fields since the 1980s. However, regular experiments have now led to discoveries about the movement of biologically motivated active systems. Returning to initial formulas has allowed researchers to find new solutions, new properties, and new movement trajectories. This story also involves a degree of luck and coincidence. The magnetic system movements discovered during experiments must be proven, repeatedly observed, and tested under different conditions. Sometimes, experiments reveal solutions that have not been previously explored, uncovering physical phenomena that could significantly impact our future.
It is essential that the properties of discovered systems are repeatable in experiments so that scientists can document them in models and scientific papers, making them applicable in other fields. This allows continued work on related scientific questions.
What Will a Physics Formula Change?
Although the path to the final result may seem long, researchers predict that this work could contribute to medical advancements. One of the biggest challenges in medicine today is the side effects of drugs and their impact on the liver. Most medications are taken as pills or injections, but this method does not guarantee that the drugs reach the organs that need treatment. Additionally, many drugs have a negative impact on the liver. Scientists are already working on using magnetic bacteria to "attach" medications to them. Given that the discovered bacteria are not harmful to human health, future research may explore how to use these bacteria to transport drugs to specific locations in the human body. This will require collaboration across multiple scientific fields.
No additional energy or battery is needed to power such bacteria. Their movement functions like an energy engine driven by a magnetic field.
This research opens up new possibilities and challenges that could change our understanding of technology and its future applications. The path of science and innovation is full of unknowns, but that is precisely what makes it so exciting and significant. Each step lays the foundation for new discoveries that can improve our quality of life and help solve global challenges, such as advancements in healthcare and environmental protection.
Here in Latvia, scientists are actively studying the movement of magnetic bacteria, while others are exploring ways to reduce the physical size of drugs without compromising their therapeutic properties. Active research in various fields will ultimately lead to breakthroughs—such as methods for delivering drugs precisely within the human body using naturally occurring phenomena. By understanding how magnetic fields can manipulate and control biological processes, we can envision a future where this force is harnessed for innovative therapies, advanced materials, and revolutionary technologies.
The journey of discovery has only just begun, and the potential impact of this research is truly limitless.
The project "Biologically Motivated Models of Active Systems in an Electromagnetic Field" (lzp-2020/1-0149) is being implemented under the Fundamental and Applied Research (FLPP) program, funded by the Latvian Science Council.
