Identification of the Mechanisms Involved in the Processing and Plasticity of the Trigeminal and Olfactory Systems: From Chemoreceptor Expression to Behavior

Topic description

In mammals, chemosensation relies on three interconnected systems: olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal. Despite their essential role in the perception of flavors, danger signals, and communication cues, these systems remain less studied than the physical senses. The Covid‑19 pandemic, by inducing widespread anosmia, revealed the major impact of chemosensory deficits on diet, mood, and quality of life. This situation highlights the necessity of elucidating the underlying neurobiological mechanisms and developing innovative tools for the integrated study of chemical senses. While our understanding of the trigeminal system and its bidirectional interaction with the olfactory system remains incomplete in humans, the animal model offers an unparalleled opportunity to uncover the mechanisms underlying the functioning of these chemosensory systems. In this project, we will identify the mechanisms involved in chemosensory integration at the peripheral...