Deconstructing olfaction using models, molecules, and mammals

Abstract

Olfaction, the sense of smell, is one of the least well understood sensory systems. Central to the lack of understanding has been an inability to reliably control the stimulus, odorants. Here I developed analytical frameworks to further our understandings of how to quantify odor molecules based on responses elicited from olfactory receptors. I also identified a novel subset of olfactory receptors which displayed sexual dimorphism, plasticity, and served to respond to semiochemicals in mice. Finally, I identified a single candidate rabbit olfactory receptor to respond to a rabbit mammary pheromone.