Johns Hopkins University

Randall R Reed

Solomon H Snyder

Jonathan Pevsner

Dietmar Krautwurst

King-Wai Yau

This invention provides novel libraries of olfactory receptor odorant/ligand-binding domains and methods of making and using them. The invention also provides libraries of vectors and cells comprising these nucleic acid constructs. The compositions and methods of the invention are used to identify novel ligand-binding domains for olfactory neuron odorant receptors and their ligands. Thus, the compositions and methods of the invention can be used to generate novel odorants, to screen for toxic odorants, or to manipulate an animal's olfactory response.

Olfactory receptor expression libraries and methods of making and using them

DNA molecules are taught which code for an odorant-binding protein which is synethesized solely in the lateral nasal gland. This protein, because of the broad range of odorants which it binds, can be used in many techniques for trapping odorants in either a liquid or solid medium. This protein bears some structural homology with other carriers of small lipophilic molecules from many other species; the carriers are known to transport specific lipophilic molecules.

Odorant-binding protein from rat

DNA molecules are taught which code for an odorant-binding protein which is synthesized solely in the lateral nasal gland. This protein, because of the broad range of odorants which it binds, can be used in many techniques for trapping odorants in either a liquid or solid medium. This protein bears some structural homology with other carriers of small lipophilic molecules from many other species; the carriers are known to transport specific lipophilic molecules.

Growing community of inventors

Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Randall R Reed