Sapere Aude grant for Jingjing Xu from the Department of Biology
With support from the Independent Research Fund Denmark, Jingjing Xu can now continue her research into how nocturnal insects navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field – knowledge that may also inspire the development of new technologies
A prestigious Sapere Aude grant of DKK 6.330.240 will help Jingjing Xu tackle one of nature’s most puzzling phenomena: How can tiny nocturnal insects navigate thousands of kilometres using the Earth’s magnetic field?
Jingjing Xu is an Assistant Professor in Sound Communication & Behaviour at the Department of Biology and a Fellow at the Danish Institute for Advanced Study. With the grant, she can now lead her own research project and investigate the molecular mechanisms behind insects’ magnetic sense – scientifically known as magnetoreception.
“We want to understand how insects actually sense the magnetic field inside their cells. The goal is to connect their behaviour to concrete molecular mechanisms,” says Jingjing Xu.
Proteins as sensors
The project will focus on so-called candidate magnetic sensing proteins – proteins that may act as biological magnetic sensors. These will be produced in the laboratory and analysed using advanced biophysical methods, including quantum diamond sensors capable of detecting extremely weak magnetic signals.
Although the project is basic research, its potential impact is far-reaching, according to Jingjing Xu.
The work may provide new insights into how quantum effects operate in living organisms – something usually associated with physics laboratories rather than biological cells.
May benefit nature conservation
New knowledge about how animals navigate and find their way could also benefit nature conservation and biodiversity.
Insights into magnetically sensitive proteins may further inspire new technologies such as targeted drug delivery guided by magnetic fields, non-invasive methods for manipulating brain cells, and navigation systems that do not rely on GPS.
With the grant, Jingjing Xu will be able to establish an interdisciplinary research environment combining biology, physics and chemistry. For this, she will recruit a PhD student and a postdoc.
In 2026, DFF has awarded DKK 249 million to 40 new Sapere Aude DFF–Research Leaders. The projects span a broad range of topics, including ADHD, pregnancy loss, new medicines for rare diseases, improved plant-based foods, and making the most of AI.
Meet the researcher
Jingjing Xu is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Sound Communication & Behaviour at the Department of Biology and a Fellow at the Danish Institute for Advanced Study. She received a Master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and earned her PhD with the highest distinction (summa cum laude) from Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg in Germany.