多种动物可利用地磁场信息进行定位和导航。研究表明，蓝光/A区紫外光受体-隐花色素作为磁罗盘参与了这一过程。大部分情况下，磁场生物效应归因于对胞内Ca2+的影响。隐花色素感知磁场信号后，通过何种生化途径转化为电生理信号目前仍是空白。本项目拟以典型地磁导航生物-家鸽为模型，以隐花色素为诱饵，通过酵母双杂交筛选不同磁场环境的差异相互作用蛋白，并通过其他生物化学手段验证这种相互作用，同时利用膜片钳、钙成像等手段研究家鸽视网膜上的视锥细胞在不同磁场条件下的电生理学特性，以求发现参与磁感过程的相关离子通道。最后，利用果蝇遗传学手段或商业获取相关果蝇品系针对筛选到的磁感通路蛋白或离子通道，行为学实验验证其功能。该课题的开展有助于加深对动物磁感的理解，并可为发展仿生磁探测技术提供理论依据。

Several species are known to use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation. It is demonstrated that the ultraviolet-A/blue-light photoreceptor cryptochrome (Cry) is involved in as a magnetic compass. Many studies have found that in most cases the magnetic effect is ascribed to Ca2+ ions. However, the mechanism by which cryptochrome transmits the magnetic signal to biochemical signals and finally to electric signals is not known. In this study we will use the animal model homing pigeons, Columba livia, a species using the magnetic field for compass orientation，to investigate the physiological mechanism underneath. We will screen the differential interacting-partners of cryptochrome using the yeast two-hybrid system in the absence and presence of applied magnetic fields. Meanwhile, electrophysiological methods will be used to screen the Ca2+ channels of the ultraviolet/violet (UV/V) cones which are involved in this magnetic sensitivity. Furthermore, Gene-knockout lines and commercially available fly stocks will be used to perform behavioural assay to verify the proteins and ion channels involved in the magnetosensitivity pathway. This study wil provide a direct evidence for understanding cryptochrome dependent animal magnetosensitivity and strengthen the theoretical basis of bionic navigation material using the Earth's magnetic field.