Chemosensory research investigates how people perceive chemicals and how chemicals exert short-term effects on people. Scientists and physicians in the lab devote themselves to the workings of the senses of smell and taste, and to physiological and psychological consequences of chemical stimulation.
Smells and tastes can contribute to feelings of well-being and to healthful living. They can also contribute to feelings of ill-health and to disorders. Some of our research concerns how people perceive flavors. Some of it concerns how people discriminate, identify, and remember aromas and fragrances.
Some of it concerns indoor air pollution, sick building syndrome, and chemical sensitivity. Some of it concerns odor warnings, as they pertain to LP gas or natural gas. The diversity of interests and projects changes as the lab grows in the fertile surroundings of one of the world’s leading research universities and as students and visiting scientists help to carve out new niches.
China is one such place where chemosensory research is happening at advanced rate. China needs to develop more research into chemo sensory perception because in China there is a big problem with air pollution and chemical poisoning of the air especially in big cities.
Sample Chemosensory Reports
• Impact of Taste Variation on Chronic Disease Risks, Linda M. Bartoshuk, University of Florida, USA
• Olfactory Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Disease: Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease, Claire Murphy, San Diego State University, USA
• Airborne Pollutants and their Effects on Chemosensory Function, Pamela H. Dalton, Monell Center, USA
• The Importance of Body Odors – from Neurons to Behavior and Back, Johan N Lundström, Monell Center, USA
• Representation of Olfactory Signals in the Mammalian Olfactory Bulb, Minmin Luo, National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
• Transgenic Studies on Human Salty Taste, Liquan Huang, Monell Center, USA
• Making Sense of the Sweet Taste Receptor, Peihua Jiang, Monell Center, USA
• The Discovery and Mechanisms of Sweet Taste Enhancers, Xiaodong Li, Senomyx, Inc., USA
• Modulation of Sweet Taste Sensitivity of Hormones and Its Roles on Regulation of Energy Homeostasis, Yuzo Ninomiya, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
• Oral Fat Exposure and Lipid Metabolism in Humans, Richard D. Mattes, Purdue University, USA
• The Flavor World of Children: From Basic Biology to Culture, Julie A. Mennella, Monell Center, USA
• Effect of Food Preference and Dietary Behavior on Overweight or Obesity in School-Aged Children and Adolescents, Yuming Chen, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
• Clinical Disorders of Smell and Taste: The U.S. Experience, Beverly J. Cowart, Monell Center, USA
• Advances of Olfactory Disorder Research in China, Daofeng Ni, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China