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intengineering t1_j6oas7f wrote

Reply to comment by Germanofthebored in AskScience AMA Series: I'm Birgül Akolpoglu, a doctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Germany. I work on microalgae and bacteria-based microrobots that could one day be used to deliver drugs and battle cancer! AMA! by AskScienceModerator

Thanks for your question! We attach nanomagnets on E. coli and control them using bigger magnets (centimeter scale) or electromagnetic coils for precise steering. Magnetized bacteria still swim using their flagellar propulsion, but follow the magnetic field lines, therefore making it possible for us to control them externally using magnetic fields.

All the best,
/birgül

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