Methods for vapor detection and discrimination with mammalian odorant receptors expressed in heterologous cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to an odorant receptor based odorant sensor system and related methods. In particular, systems and methods are provided permitting detection and discrimination of an odorant molecule in a vapor/gaseous phase using a panel of odorant receptors expressed in heterologous cells.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of identifying an odorant receptor ligand comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a biological sample comprising cells expressing at least one odorant receptor and exposing the biological sample to at least one test compound in a vapor/gaseous phase;   b) measuring a signal that is proportional to activation of one of the odorant receptors in said biological sample, and   c) comparing the measured level of activation of one of the odorant receptors determined in step b) to a reference activation level for the specific odorant receptor determined in the same conditions with a negative control where the biological sample has not been exposed to said at least one test compound in a vapor/gaseous phase.