Exploring new ways our bodies and insects detect taste
Opsins as a new class of evolutionarily conserved taste receptors
This research looks at whether certain proteins, called opsins, help us and other animals, like mosquitoes, sense different tastes beyond just light.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Barbara NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Barbara, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11094682 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores a fascinating discovery: proteins called opsins, long known for detecting light, also play a role in sensing taste. We are looking into whether these opsins help detect a wider range of tastes, not just bitter ones, and if they are important for taste in other animals. Specifically, we are studying mosquitoes, which spread serious diseases, to understand how they use taste to find food and avoid harmful substances. We also want to see if opsins are involved in taste sensation in mammals, including humans. This work uses advanced techniques to observe how cells respond to tastes and how animals behave.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future studies building on this work might seek individuals with taste-related conditions or those interested in mosquito-borne disease prevention.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention for taste disorders or mosquito-borne diseases would not directly benefit from this early-stage basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to control disease-carrying mosquitoes by disrupting their taste, and potentially offer new insights into human taste disorders.
How similar studies have performed: The initial discovery of opsins detecting bitter tastes in fruit flies has shown success, and this project builds upon that novel finding to explore broader implications.
Where this research is happening
Santa Barbara, United States
- University of California Santa Barbara — Santa Barbara, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Montell, Craig — University of California Santa Barbara
- Study coordinator: Montell, Craig
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.