An investigation of olfactory receptors in C. elegans

This project is a collaboration with Drs Stephen Trowell and Alisha Anderson (CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences).  Using C. elegans as a model we are exploring olfaction in nematodes. The nematode genome contains more chemosensory G-protein coupled receptors than the mouse or dog genomes yet only a small number of neurons are devoted to odorant reception in nematodes. We are investigating the olfactory responses to important odorants and technology for de-orphaning potential odorant receptors in C. elegans. This work will contribute to the development of biosensors to detect volatile molecules.