Migratory birds such as the Arctic tern travel thousands of kilometres every year to reach their destinations. The young birds of some species reach their destination entirely without the help of their parents. How is that possible? It has long been known that migratory birds use the Earth’s magnetic field for orientation. However, the molecular basis underlying this fascinating internal navigation system is still not sufficiently understood.

Current research findings from our institute, from the working group of Miriam Liedvogel provide new and promising insights into this question. Through evolutionary analyses and computer models, a connection was identified between Cryptochrome 4 and migratory behaviour in birds. Cryptochrome 4 belongs to a protein family of magnetic sensors and could play a key role in the molecular control of the internal compass of migratory birds. Further investigations, for example behavioural experiments on bird species that lack Cryptochrome 4, are intended to help close the remaining knowledge gaps in the future.

The full article „Der Cryptochrom-Kompass“ can be found in issue 06/2024 of Labor Journal – Magazine for Medicine and Biosciences.

The results of the study with Corinna Langebrake as first author, were published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.