A Novel Biomimetic Magnetosensor Based on Magneto-Optically Involved Conformational Variation of MagR/Cry4 Complex

During billions of years of evolution, some species develop fantastic magneto-perception, offering a biomimetic route to develop the next generation of magneto-sensors. Recently, a novel principle was proposed to explain the navigation of pigeons in the presence of geomagnetic fields and sunlight. The key link is thought to lie in the magneto-optically involved conformational variation of magnetoreceptor protein (MagR)/cryptochrome (Cry4) complex. The MagR/Cry4 complex is fabricated and purified in vitro, creating a magneto-sensing device by immobilization of this protein on a graphene-modified electrochemical electrode. By using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, magneto-sensing with a current detectability of 10 mT is realized with MagR/Cry4 complex. It is proved that this process requires the involvement of both magnetic fields and light, partly confirming in vitro the magneto-perceptive mechanism of MagR/Cry4 complex. It is also shows that this device can be used to reflect the anisotropic responses of nanomaterials to the external magnetic field. It is believed this protein-based magneto-sensing will greatly boost development of bioelectronics and deepen understanding of the phenomena of magneto-perception for organisms.