RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Engineering E. coli for magnetic control and the spatial localization of functions JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2020.01.06.895623 DO 10.1101/2020.01.06.895623 A1 Mary Aubry A1 Wei-An Wang A1 Yohan Guyodo A1 Eugénia Delacou A1 Jean Michel Guignier A1 Olivier Espeli A1 Alice Lebreton A1 François Guyot A1 Zoher Gueroui YR 2020 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/01/07/2020.01.06.895623.abstract AB The fast-developing field of synthetic biology enables broad applications of programmed microorganisms including the development of whole-cell biosensors, delivery vehicles for therapeutics, or diagnostic agents. However, the lack of spatial control required for localizing microbial functions could limit their use and induce their dilution leading to ineffective action or dissemination. To overcome this limitation, the integration of magnetic properties into living systems enables a contact-less and orthogonal method for spatiotemporal control. Here, we generated a magnetic-sensing Escherichia coli by driving the formation of iron-rich bodies into bacteria. We found that these bacteria could be spatially controlled by magnetic forces and sustained cell growth and division, by transmitting asymmetrically their magnetic properties to one daughter cell. We combined the spatial control of bacteria with genetically encoded-adhesion properties to achieve the magnetic capture of specific target bacteria as well as the spatial modulation of human cell invasions.