Models for measuring the sense of smell

US5880326A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• John Ngai · Boxborough, US
• Lisa J. Brunet · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 1996
• Grant date: Mar 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A01K2267/0356
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention provides methods and compositions for measuring the sense of smell, including animals having general anosmia as a result of a genetic mutation. The genetic mutation disrupts a function of a protein required for cyclic nucleotide mediated signal transduction in olfactory neurons in the animal. The invention also encompasses methods of making and using such animals, such as methods of characterizing the effect of a stimulus on the subject mutant animals by contacting the animal with a stimulus and measuring a response of the animal to the stimulus, wherein the presence of a response indicates that the stimulus evokes a non-olfactory response.