The Radical-Pair Mechanism of Magnetoreception

Although it has been known for almost half a century that migratory birds can detect the direction of the Earth's magnetic field, the primary sensory mechanism behind this remarkable feat is still unclear. The leading hypothesis centers on radical pairs-magnetically sensitive chemical intermediates formed by photoexcitation of cryptochrome proteins in the retina. Our primary aim here is to explain the chemical and physical aspects of the radical-pair mechanism to biologists and the biological and chemical aspects to physicists. In doing so, we review the current state of knowledge on magnetoreception mechanisms. We dare to hope that this tutorial will stimulate new interdisciplinary experimental and…

• EB
  EMF Biological Research Trust
• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: FP7/2007-2013, FP7/2007-2013/, 2007-2013, FP7/2007, FP7/2007-2013/ERC
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: FP7/2007-2013, GRK 1885
• VF
  Volkswagen Foundation
• UA
  U.S. Air Force

  Award: FA9550
• AR
  Advanced Research Projects Agency
• EA
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Award: EP/L011972/1