Olfaction is one of the five basic senses used by animals to perceive the external world. Detection of odorants and pheromones by the olfactory system allows animals to perform key behavior relevant for survival, such as foraging for food, seeking mates, and escaping from predators. The vertebrate olfactory system is comprised of several sensory structures, the largest of which is the main olfactory epithelium (MOE). Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) situated within the MOE detect chemical stimuli utilizing olfactory receptors that are primarily composed of two families of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): odorant receptors (ORs) and trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs). Additionally, certain OSNs express other types of olfactory receptors that are not GPCRs, such as membrane-spanning 4-pass A receptors and guanylyl cyclase receptors. These distinct olfactory receptor gene families dictate the various OSN subpopulations that are able to detect specific categories of odorants and mediate particular animal behaviors.

Our laboratory mainly employs the mouse olfactory system as a model to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating the development of OSN subpopulations and the transcription of expressed olfactory receptor genes. We are also interested in elucidating the function of OSN subpopulations, and understanding how the olfactory dysfunction influences emotion and cognition. Our ongoing research projects encompass three main areas:

1. Examining the role of epigenetics and three-dimensional genomic structures in regulating the singular olfactory receptor gene choice in OSN subpopulations.

2. Investigating the molecular and structural basis for specific odorant recognition and animal behaviors mediated by distinct OSN subpopulations.

3. Establishing connections between olfactory dysfunction and its impact on emotional and cognitive aspects.