The future of fragance. Toward a Biotechnology of Scent Creation

ELIAS, A.S.; PÍREZ, N.; VERHAGEN, J.V.

Perfumer and Flavorist

Allured Business Media

Lugar: Carol Stream IL; Año: 2005 vol. 30 p. 52 - 60

0272-2666

It is a wondrous time to be involved in olfaction. Almost 15 years ago, the field was cracked open when recent Nobel Prize winners Linda Buck and Richard Axel discovered the genes that are responsible for encoding olfactory receptors, the proteins that bind to odorants. Since that time, much has been elucidated through genomic, cellular, molecular, physiological and anatomical studies of the mammalian olfactory system. These studies have broadened understanding and revealed a complexity and elegance of function difficult to predict earlier. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly clear that these developments will have an important role in the private sector, leading to various industry applications. However, it is still unclear what exactly these new applications will be and how the transition from basic science to industry technology will occur