| Interconnection #2(magnetosome) Acrylic on Paper 67" X 45" 2006 $3000 |
| This is an acrylic painting of a chain of membrane-bounded magnetic crystals known as magnetosomes, found and formed within certain aquatic bacteria referred to as the magnetotactic bacteria. The magnetosomes assist the bacteriaâ €™s propulsion and guidance in more efficiently locating and maintaining an optimal position for growth and survival in their environments. The cells align and swim along the Earth’s inclined magnetic field and use chemotactic sensors to find the optimal concentration of oxygen. Aligning and swimming along magnetic field lines reduce the bacterium’s search problem from a 3- dimensional problem to one of a single dimension. This naturally occurring nano- biotechnological cell represents how one of the tiniest organisms (bacteria) can harness one of the biggest forces in the universe (electromagnetic fields). *Made in Collaboration with Microbiologist Prof. Dennid Bazlylinski, UNLV. |