Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Genome sequencing. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

At. ferrooxidans is a gram-negative, extremely acidophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacteria and has been recognized as an important member involved in biogeochemical iron cycling. It wildly distributes in nature and obtains energy through the oxidation of ferrous iron and/or reduced inorganic sulfur.At. ferrooxidans can produce magnetosomes which is composed of phospholipid bilayer membrane-enclosed crystals of magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4).Due to the unique properties of magnetosomes such as ferrimagnetism, nanoscale size, narrow size distribution, dispersal ability, membrane-bound structure, and good biocompatibility, they could be applied in biomedicine, biotechnology, material science and environmental protection. It also has an important position among bacteria which have potential uses in microbial electrosynthesis systems and eco-friendly bioleaching processes.