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Related Concept Videos

Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...
Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants01:27

Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants

The human genome is over 99.9% identical between individuals, yet genetic differences exist at millions of bases. The human genome contains approximately 3 million variant positions per individual, many of which are heterozygous, contributing to genetic diversity and individual traits. Genetic variations include single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and copy number variations (CNVs).SNPs, the most common variation, involve single-base changes in DNA. These can be...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
Genomics02:02

Genomics

Genomics is the science of genomes: it is the study of all the genetic material of an organism. In humans, the genome consists of information carried in 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus, as well as mitochondrial DNA. In genomics, both coding and non-coding DNA is sequenced and analyzed. Genomics allows a better understanding of all living things, their evolution, and their diversity. It has a myriad of uses: for example, to build phylogenetic trees, to improve productivity and...
Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...

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Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
09:53

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

Published on: April 23, 2019

Human olfaction: from genomic variation to phenotypic diversity.

Yehudit Hasin-Brumshtein1, Doron Lancet, Tsviya Olender

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics and the Crown Human Genome Center, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

Trends in Genetics : TIG
|March 24, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Human olfactory receptor (OR) genes show significant genetic variation, impacting our sense of smell. New genomic tools and functional screens can link these variations to individual odor perception and preferences.

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Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
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Published on: April 23, 2019

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The human sense of smell relies on hundreds of olfactory receptor (OR) proteins, encoded by the largest human gene superfamily.
  • Genetic variations, including copy number variation and single nucleotide polymorphisms in OR genes, contribute to diverse olfactory phenotypes.
  • Understanding these genetic variations is key to comprehending individual differences in smell perception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the impact of genetic variation on human olfaction.
  • To leverage advanced genomic tools for characterizing genetic variations in OR genes.
  • To link genetic variations in ORs to specific chemosensory phenotypes and personalized odor coding.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing next-generation sequencing and CNV assays to identify genetic variations in OR genes.
  • Employing large-scale functional screens of expressed ORs.
  • Conducting genetic association studies to correlate OR variations with olfactory phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • Characterization of genetic variations within the human olfactory receptor gene superfamily.
  • Identification of links between specific OR gene variations and differences in odor perception.
  • Development of a genome-wide perspective on human olfaction.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variation in olfactory receptor genes is a primary driver of human olfactory diversity.
  • Advanced genomic and functional approaches enable a comprehensive understanding of personalized odor coding.
  • This research has potential applications in deciphering flavor and fragrance preferences.