Olfactory biosensors

Science programme: Molecular olfaction

Olfactory receptors are typically broadly tuned, responding to many compounds with different levels of activation.  We are interested in where such specificity is encoded in the receptor and how different levels of specificity are transduced to the inside of the membrane.  We are defining both the specificity and membrane topology of olfactory receptors from Drosophila using an insect expression system. By studying the structural changes that occur upon receptor activation we will be able to develop an artificial transduction approach that could be used an odorant sensing device.  This research is being conducted in collaboration with research from Monash University and the Food Futures Flagship with the CSIRO .

Olfactory receptors are integral membrane protein and therefore challenging to prepare in a format that can be used in a device that could be used to detect odorants.  We are exploring expression strategies including the use of cell free approach to synthesise and fold these proteins into artificial membranes.  This work is being conducted in collaboration with researchers from RSC at the Australian National University.