Drosophila Olfaction
Drosophila Olfaction
The sense of smell is one of the most intriguing senses: animals detect and discriminate an almost limitless number of odors in order to find food and mates while avoiding predators. Furthermore, olfaction directly impacts our personal well-being, as insect disease vectors rely on olfaction to seek human hosts.
The sense of smell is one of the most intriguing senses: animals detect and discriminate an almost limitless number of odors in order to find food and mates while avoiding predators. Furthermore, olfaction directly impacts our personal well-being, as insect disease vectors rely on olfaction to seek human hosts.
Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) are the primary source of sensory input, and our research addresses how ORNs process odor information. We are especially interested in how neuromodulation can act on ORNs to regulate responses and influence odor-guided behaviors. We also investigate how compartmentalization allows ORNs to process information through ephaptic interaction.
Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) are the primary source of sensory input, and our research addresses how ORNs process odor information. We are especially interested in how neuromodulation can act on ORNs to regulate responses and influence odor-guided behaviors. We also investigate how compartmentalization allows ORNs to process information through ephaptic interaction.