The molecular basis of olfaction

Abstract

The olfactory sense plays a dominant role in a variety of behaviors across many species ranging from invertebrates to higher mammals. Consequently, there is great interest in understanding how olfactory perception is initiated. The olfactory signaling pathway is triggered via a receptor-mediated event and is then conveyed onto to higher order neurons and ultimately to the cortex. The last ten years have witnessed an increased interest and success in understanding olfaction from a receptor perspective. These findings have significantly enhanced our insight of the olfactory system.