New Discoveries in Cryptochrome Could Revolutionize Understanding of Magnetic Field Detection

University of Manchester Researchers Lead the Way in Mapping the Universe with Radio Telescopes

Cosmologists Steve Cunnington and Dr Michael Keith from the University of Manchester have received prestigious Astronomy awards. Dr Keith, a member of the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA), praised the team's decades-long work, highlighting both their scientific achievements and the team's diverse, supportive nature. EPTA fosters collaboration across nationalities and supports early career researchers. Dr. Steve Cunnington received the Early Career Award for his work in astronomy. Since joining the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics in 2022, his research has focused on mapping the Universe’s structure using radio telescopes.

He expressed excitement about his research being recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society and viewed the award as a challenge to continue the legacy of past winners. He also highlighted his involvement in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) project, with the operational MeerKAT telescope validating their mapping technique. He noted that their work with MeerKAT is now mapping much larger volumes of the Universe.

In collaboration with the Universities of Leicester and Oxford, researchers at the University of Manchester are investigating the biological mechanisms through which magnetic forces affect animals. Professor Ezio Rosato from Leicester’s Department of Genetics highlighted that previous research identified Cryptochrome (CRY), a blue-light sensing protein, as key to magnetoreception. The team discovered that a short segment at the end of Cryptochrome (CRY) is crucial for responding to magnetic fields, suggesting animals may detect them through multiple mechanisms. Professor Richard Baines from the University of Manchester stated that this finding builds on their previous work and brings them closer to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of magnetoreception.

These groundbreaking achievements in astronomy and biological research highlight the University of Manchester’s continued contributions to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.

Editor’s Note:

The recent recognition of Dr Steve Cunnington and Dr Michael Keith from the University of Manchester with prestigious Astronomy awards highlights their invaluable contributions to the field. Dr. Keith’s involvement in the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) showcases the power of international collaboration, while Dr. Cunnington’s pioneering work on mapping the Universe’s structure using radio telescopes represents a major advancement in astrophysics. Additionally, ongoing research at the University of Manchester into magnetoreception promises to provide new insights into how animals detect and respond to magnetic fields. 

Skoobuzz commends these groundbreaking efforts and looks forward to further advancements from the university in the future.