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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
09:53
Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
Published on: April 23, 2019
Better smelling through genetics: mammalian odor perception.
Andreas Keller1, Leslie B Vosshall
1Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 63, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Genomic tools reveal new insights into the evolution and function of the sense of smell (olfaction) across mammals. Studying genetic variations helps understand individual differences in olfactory perception.
Area of Science:
- Genomics and Genetics
- Olfaction Research
- Mammalian Sensory Systems
Background:
- Olfaction, the sense of smell, is crucial for mammalian survival and behavior.
- Advances in genomic and genetic tools have revolutionized the study of olfaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in mammalian olfaction genetics and genomics.
- To explore how smell has evolved across species and how genetic variation impacts olfactory perception.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of newly sequenced mammalian genomes (e.g., platypus, dog).
- Comparative genomics to infer evolutionary trajectories of olfactory systems.
- Examination of genetic variation within species related to olfactory perception.
Main Results:
- Genomic data provide insights into the adaptive evolution of smell in different mammalian species.
- Genetic variations within species correlate with differences in individual olfactory abilities.
Conclusions:
- Genetics and genomics are powerful tools for understanding the complexities of mammalian olfaction.
- Future research will continue to uncover the intricate relationship between genes and the sense of smell.
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