ABSTRACT
This review summarizes the applications of magnetic force and torque in biology with an emphasis on recent advances and future trends. The review begins with a brief introduction, followed by a discussion of the fundamentals of magnetic force and torque in colloidal systems. Next, three key magnetic force based applications in biology are discussed. The first topic reviews magnetic separation and outlines the latest advances in magnetic bioseparation systems, including a discussion of the differences between linear and non-linear separation systems. The second topic reviews the development of magnetic tweezers in biomechanics with an emphasis on single molecule force spectroscopy, and its current and future trends. The final topic discusses the use of magnetic forces in assembling biologically relevant material structures for applications in tissue engineering and bioanalytical devices.
