Nanobacterium

於ALH84001隕石碎片發現的結構

納米細菌是一種具有細胞壁的微生物。其體直徑約為200納米，是可於正常光學顯微鏡下成像的物件最小尺寸，大大低於細菌的理論下限。1996年，尚未發現納米細菌時，這個大小被假定的理由是「現時所知生物需要用到的最小體型」。

有關牠們為生命體的報告是相當具衝擊性的。^[1]假如這些微小的東西是生存著的，那麼就意味著一種與細菌完全不同的嶄新生命形式被發現。^[2]但最近研究發現纳米细菌只是矿物质与蛋白质形成的晶体，無關生命。其出现可能暗示人体代谢机制出现异常。^[3]鈣化納米顆粒 (CNPs) 被用作迴避有關這種生命形式的所有難題。雖然納米生物時常與納米細菌扯上關係，甚至時而被當作其同義詞，可是有關兩者的關係暫時並未明朗。

引文參考

1. ^ Kajander E. Nanobacteria--propagating calcifying nanoparticles. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2006, 42 (6): 549–52. PMID 16706890.
2. ^ Ciftcioglu N, McKay D, Mathew G, Kajander E. Nanobacteria: fact or fiction? Characteristics, detection, and medical importance of novel self-replicating, calcifying nanoparticles. J Investig Med. 2006, 54 (7): 385–94. PMID 17169260.
3. ^ 2010年第2期《环球科学》

其他参考

• From Scum, Perhaps the Tiniest Form of Life, NY Times December 23, 2006
• Abstract: American Journal Physiology — Heart and Circulatory Physiology May 13, 2004
• An alternative interpretation of nanobacteria-induced biomineralization
• Are Nanobacteria Making Us Ill?, Wired News, Mar. 14, 2005
• Claim made for new form of life, BBC News, May 19, 2004
• Evidence of Nanobacterial-like Structures in Human Calcified Arteries and Cardiac Valves
• Infectious Microorganism Linked to Kidney Stones and other Diseases, February 2005
• Nannobacteria Research Page of the Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University
• Nanobac press release, April 2004
• Nanobacteria: An alternative mechanism for pathogenic intra- and extracellular calcification and stone formation
• New Scientist article about nanobacteria
• The Calcium Bomb — The Nanobacteria Link to Heart Disease and Cancer
• Taylor, Michael. Dark Life. New York, NY: Scribner. 1999. ISBN 0-684-84191-6.
• Nanobac Pharmaceuticals news release. First Live Video of Calcifying Nanoparticles Provides Possible Key to Chronic Disease Condition, November 2, 2006
• 實驗研究認為：“納米細菌”不是生物. 科技日報. 2008-04-28 [2012-01-08].

延伸閱讀

• Nanobacteria: Facts or Fancies?^{[永久失效連結]}

外部連結

• Nannobacteria Research associated with Robert Folk.
• Nanobac Pharmaceuticals official website