Givaudan decodes olfactory receptors

The Swiss giant has unveiled the results of a decade-long research into how olfactory receptors (ORs) function. These receptors are responsible for detecting and recognising odorant molecules. Until now, it had been impossible to determine the correspondences of many of them due to their low sensitivity. However, Givaudan scientists have recently succeeded in activating twenty previously "unresponsive" receptors, thereby revealing the exact correspondences between odorant molecules and the receptors they activate, paving the way for decoding the entire system. By slightly modifying the receptor’s tail end, the researchers enhanced their sensitivity by up to 100x. This now makes it possible to recreate some of nature’s most iconic scents with unparalleled precision and to design unique experiences by leveraging scientific knowledge for creative purposes.