Harvard Researchers Map Smell Receptor Organization in the Nose
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A Harvard Medical School team has created a detailed map showing how smell receptors are organized into horizontal bands in the nose. The study identified a key molecule, retinoic acid, that guides this organization, and the findings align with a separate Harvard study published concurrently.
Facts First
- Smell receptors are organized into horizontal bands in the nose, grouped by receptor type.
- A gradient of retinoic acid guides neurons to activate the correct smell receptor based on their position.
- The nose's receptor map aligns with corresponding maps in the brain's olfactory bulb.
- The findings were published in the journal Cell on April 28.
- Research funding was provided by the NIH, Harvard, and the NSF.
What Happened
Professor Sandeep (Robert) Datta and colleagues at Harvard Medical School conducted a study using mice to create a detailed map of how more than a thousand types of smell receptors are arranged inside the nose. The study found that neurons carrying these receptors are organized into horizontal bands, or stripes, running from the top of the nose to the bottom, grouped by receptor type. The researchers demonstrated that this map in the nose aligns with corresponding maps in the olfactory bulb of the brain. The team analyzed approximately 5.5 million neurons across more than 300 mice using a methodology that combined single-cell sequencing with spatial transcriptomics.
Why this Matters to You
Smell assists in detecting hazards, adding depth to flavor, and connecting to memory and emotion. This foundational research into how the sense of smell is organized could, over time, lead to a better understanding of smell-related disorders or the development of technologies that interact with our olfactory system. It represents a significant step in mapping a complex sensory system.
What's Next
The study identified retinoic acid, a molecule that regulates gene activity, as a key factor in how the smell map develops. A gradient of this acid in the nose guides neurons to activate the correct smell receptor based on position. Altering levels of retinoic acid caused the entire receptor map to shift upward or downward. These findings were consistent with a separate study led by Catherine Dulac's lab at Harvard University, published in the same issue of Cell. Further research based on this map may explore how this organization influences odor perception and processing.