Exploiting the Fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, to Identify the Molecular Basis of Cryptochrome-Dependent Magnetosensitivity

The flavoprotein CRYPTOCHROME (CRY) is now generally believed to be a magnetosensor, providing geomagnetic information via quantum effect on light-initiated radical pair reaction. Whilst there considerable physical and behavioural data support this view, the precise molecular basis of animal magnetosensitivity remains frustratingly unknown. A key reason for difficulty in combining biological experiments with sciences magnetics spin chemistry. In review, we highlight work that has utilised fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, which provides highly tractable genetic model system offers many advantages study magnetosensitivity. Using “living test-tube”, significant progress been made elucidating CRY-dependent