AS-HOPE report

Number: AS-24-002

The study of olfaction in primates based on comparative genomics and molecular biology

Report: Atsushi Matsui

Date: 2013/1/28 - 2013/2/15

 It is well known that the olfactory receptors are expressed not only in nasal cavity for the detection of odorants but also in various organs for monitoring chemicals. We have identified orthologous or species-specific olfactory receptor genes by using the genome data of 5 primates (including humans) and eight non-primate mammals. Concerning these olfactory receptors in primates, I aim to conduct a biochemical or physiological experiments. Firstly, I visited the Dr. Matsunami’s laboratory at Duke University and learned the method for functional assay of olfactory receptors with the luciferase reaction. I have presented our recent study based on comparative genomics and discussed them. Furthermore, I also visited the Duke Lemur Center in Duke University and observed ecological studies of olfaction in lemurs. At the Duke Lemur Center, I discussed vomeronasal organ and receptors in Old World monkeys with Dr. Drea. Secondly, I visited the Dr. Shedlock’s laboratory at College of Charleston and learned the genome analyses for repetitive sequences. Finally, I visited Dr. Steiper’s laboratory at City University of New York and American Museum of Natural History, which is the one of the New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP), and discussed the morphological studies of olfaction in primates. At each institute, many seminars were held by the researchers around the world. I could get the knowledge from the excellent and forefront studies by attending to them.

Duke Lemur center


Olfaction of lemurs

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