FBS Colloquia No.259Physiological Laboratory

Olfactory information extraction by molecular dynamics of the nanoscale olfactory cilia

Olfaction is one of the five senses that we use unconsciously every day, yet even today there are many open questions. The main reason for the experimental difficulties is accompanied with the fine structure of the olfactory cilia (100-200 nm in diameter) where the signal transduction begins. We have been overcoming experimental difficulties by developing and applying purpose-built experimental equipment and concepts. In a series of experiments, native and living cells were used. We isolated olfactory receptor cells from the nasal cavity to record electrical and Ca responses under physiological conditions. In this talk, we will present the latest findings from our laboratory. The first is the molecular mechanism of olfactory masking, and the second is the simultaneous measurement of Ca signal and membrane currents in submicron region of the cilia. Results are unusual when considering the conventional concept of biological systems, and we speculate that such new system could be universal in tiny biological structures.