Magnetotactic bacteria and biogenic magnetite nanocrystals as potential contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging

In the present work we examine the efficiency of magnetotactic bacteria and biogenic magnetite nanocrystals as potential contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. The tests include transverse and longitudinal relaxation measurements on two suspensions of magnetic particles prepared with magnetotactic bacteria and magnetosomes at the same concentration. We observed a strong reduction of the transverse relaxation time by the presence of magnetic particles. On the other hand, only a small influence on the longitudinal time is detected.