How Smells Help Create New Cells for Your Sense of Smell
The olfactory stimulation-dependent birth of neurons that express specific odorant receptors
This project explores how specific smells might encourage the growth of new cells in the area responsible for your sense of smell, which could help people who have lost their sense of smell.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11113962 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our sense of smell relies on new cells being constantly produced throughout our lives in a special area called the olfactory epithelium. When this process doesn't work well, people can lose their sense of smell, which affects many adults and their quality of life. This project aims to understand how the body maintains this cell growth and why it continues throughout life. Researchers are looking into whether specific smells can actually speed up the creation of new cells that are designed to detect those particular odors, suggesting that this process is more than just replacing old cells. This work challenges current ideas about how our sense of smell renews itself.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future clinical applications would target adults experiencing a loss or impairment of their sense of smell.
Not a fit: Patients without olfactory dysfunction would not directly benefit from this specific research, as it focuses on the mechanisms underlying smell loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to treat or restore the sense of smell for people experiencing olfactory dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds on the researchers' own prior findings that specific odors can accelerate the birth of certain neurons, challenging existing models of olfactory neurogenesis.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santoro, Stephen — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Santoro, Stephen
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.