Understanding how human smell receptors detect odors
Official title: Structural dynamics of human odorant receptors in olfaction
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10954724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our smell receptors work to recognize different scents, which could help us understand more about how we smell and why we react to certain odors in different ways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $648,575 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021585-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing olfactory dysfunction or those interested in the biological mechanisms of smell.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in olfactory function or those not experiencing any smell-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how human odorant receptors, which are crucial for our sense of smell, recognize and respond to different odor molecules. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, the team aims to uncover the specific features of these receptors that determine their selectivity for various odors. The study will also explore the differences in how different classes of receptors operate and the mechanisms that activate them. This work could provide valuable insights into the biology of smell and its underlying molecular processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of olfactory disorders and the development of new therapies for conditions affecting the sense of smell.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding GPCR functions, but this specific investigation into human odorant receptors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manglik, Aashish — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Manglik, Aashish
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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.