Uncovering the hidden complexity of multicellular magnetotactic bacteria

by Kayla S. Stoy, William C. Ratcliff

Multicellular magnetotactic bacteria (MMB) have a surprisingly complex multicellular lifestyle. A new study in PLOS Biology combines genomics, microscopy, and isotopic labeling to show that MMB form obligately multicellular consortia of genetically diverse cells with rudimentary division of labor. Multicellular magnetotactic bacteria (MMB) have a surprisingly complex multicellular lifestyle. This Primer explores a new study in PLOS Biology which combines genomics, microscopy, and isotopic labeling to show that MMB form obligately multicellular consortia of genetically diverse cells with rudimentary division of labor.