The Bioelectromagnetic World of Tadashi Matsunaga
By Science Communicator | August 8, 2025
Imagine a world where bacteria produce nano-magnets for cancer therapies, microorganisms purify polluted water, and algae combat climate change. For Prof. Tadashi Matsunaga, this isn't science fiction—it's a lifetime of groundbreaking research. As President of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (2011–2017) and a pioneer in bioelectrochemistry, Matsunaga has spent four decades bridging biology and engineering to solve global challenges 4 7 . His work revolves around a radical idea: Nature's smallest architects hold the keys to humanity's biggest problems.
"Interdisciplinary science isn't optional—it's essential. Biology informs engineering, and engineering expands biology" 4 .
In this exclusive "e-conversation," we explore Matsunaga's revolutionary work in marine biotechnology, biomagnetics, and bioelectronics—fields that harness microbes as living factories, magnetic particle engineers, and environmental sensors 1 .
Matsunaga's lab views marine microorganisms as unsung climate warriors. His team genetically engineers photosynthetic bacteria to:
"Marine microbes are self-replicating solar factories. We reprogram them to turn pollution into resources," Matsunaga explains 8 .
| Microorganism | Function | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Cyanobacteria | CO₂ fixation + UV-resistant growth | Biomass production |
| Magnetospirillum spp. | Heavy metal absorption | Bioremediation of polluted waters |
| Engineered Algae | High-lipid biosynthesis | Renewable biofuels |
In the 1980s, Matsunaga discovered magnetic bacteria (Magnetospirillum) that produce perfectly structured magnetite nanoparticles—dubbed bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs). These became the foundation of his biomagnetics research 1 2 :
BMPs coated with antibodies navigate to diseased cells like guided missiles 1 .
In 2000, Matsunaga's team created an automated immunoassay using BMPs to detect insulin with 100x higher sensitivity than conventional tests 2 .
BMP-functionalized microchips isolate circulating tumor cells from blood—a breakthrough for early cancer detection 2 .
Landmark Study: Matsunaga's 2003 Journal of Biological Chemistry paper identified Mms6, a protein controlling magnetite crystal formation. This enabled synthetic biomagnetite production for medical use 2 .
| Application | Key Result | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin Detection (2000) | 100% accuracy in < 10 minutes | Revolutionized diabetes monitoring |
| Tumor Cell Isolation (2010) | 99% capture efficiency from blood samples | Enabled non-invasive cancer diagnostics |
| Drug Delivery (2008) | 90% reduction in tumor size in mouse models | Pioneered targeted nano-therapies |
Matsunaga's early work in bioelectronics birthed devices where living cells communicate with machines:
Microbial electrodes detect water toxicity by measuring metabolic changes 2 .
Electrodes measure IgE antibodies in blood, identifying allergens in minutes .
Matsunaga's most cited study (FEMS Microbiology Letters, 1933 citations) devised a solar-powered system to eradicate bacteria 2 :
| Semiconductor | Light Source | Kill Rate (60 sec) | Long-Term Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| TiO₂ | UV | 99.9% | > 1,000 cycles |
| CdS | Visible | 98.5% | ~500 cycles |
Matsunaga's innovations rely on ingenious biological and chemical tools:
Source: Magnetic bacteria (Magnetospirillum).
Source: Engineered E. coli expressing the mms6 gene.
Function: Controls magnetite crystal shape for medical imaging 2 .
Function: Light-activated "microscopic knives" destroying pathogens 2 .
Function: Enables iron transport into BMPs, boosting magnetic potency .
Earns doctorate at Tokyo Institute of Technology 4 .
Joins Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) 5 .
Discovers photoelectrochemical sterilization 2 .
Isolates Desulfovibrio magneticus—first magnetic sulfate-reducing bacterium 2 .
Sequences AMB-1 genome, enabling synthetic biomagnetite 2 .
Serves as President of TUAT 7 .
Distinguished Professor at TUAT and Waseda University 5 .
"Interdisciplinary science isn't optional—it's essential. Biology informs engineering, and engineering expands biology" 4 .
At 70, Matsunaga remains a visionary force. His current work at Waseda University explores electrogenic bacteria that convert waste into electricity and programmable BMPs for neural disease therapies 5 . As he states: "Microbes wrote Earth's first code—DNA. Now, we're learning to edit that code for a sustainable future" 4 .
Explore Matsunaga's open-access papers on biomagnetite synthesis and marine bioreactors 2 .
About the Author: This article synthesizes decades of peer-reviewed work by Prof. Matsunaga and his collaborators. All data is sourced from academic publications and institutional records.