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NanoSmells: Artificial remote-controlled odorants

Objective

"Despite years of promise, an odor-emitting component in devices such as televisions, phones, computers and more has yet to be developed. Two major obstacles in the way of such development are poor understanding of the olfactory code (the link between odorant structure, neural activity, and odor perception), and technical inability to emit odors in a reversible manner. Here we propose a novel multidisciplinary path to solving this basic scientific question (the code), and in doing so generate a solution to the technical limitation (controlled odor emission). The Bachelet lab will design DNA strands that assume a 3D structure that will specifically bind to a single type of olfactory receptor and induce signal transduction. These DNA-based ""artificial odorants"" will be tagged with a nanoparticle that changes their conformation in response to an external electromagnetic field. Thus, we will have in hand an artificial odorant that is remotely switchable. The Hansson lab will use tissue culture cells expressing insect olfactory receptors, functional imaging, and behavioral tests to validate the function and selectivity of these switchable odorants in insects. The Carleton lab will use imaging in order to investigate the patterns of neural activity induced by these artificial odorants in rodents. The Sobel lab will apply these artificial odorants to the human olfactory system, and measure perception and neural activity following switching the artificial smell on and off. Finally, given a potential role for olfactory receptors in skin, the Del Rio lab will test the efficacy of these artificial odorants in promoting wound healing. At the basic science level, this approach may allow solving the combinatorial code of olfaction. At the technology level, beyond novel pharmacology, we will provide proof-of-concept for countless novel applications ranging from insect pest-control to odor-controlled environments and odor-emitting devices such as televisions, phones, and computers."

Call for proposal

H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015

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Sub call

H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015-RIA

Coordinator

WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Net EU contribution
€ 1 019 156,00
Address
Herzl Street 234
7610001 Rehovot
Israel

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (7)

BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY

Participation ended

Israel
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Bar Ilan University Campus
52900 Ramat Gan
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 844 610,00
Address
Hofgartenstrasse 8
80539 Munchen

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITE DE GENEVE
Switzerland
Net EU contribution
€ 713 524,00
Address
Rue Du General Dufour 24
1211 Geneve

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Genève
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID
Spain
Net EU contribution
€ 474 436,50
Address
Calle Madrid 126
28903 Getafe (Madrid)

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

INSTITUTO INVESTIGACION SANITARIA FUNDACION JIMENEZ DIAZ
Spain
Net EU contribution
€ 18 676,00
Address
Avenida De Los Reyes Catolicos 2
28040 Madrid

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS, MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICAS-CIEMAT
Spain
Net EU contribution
€ 16 447,50
Address
Avenida Complutense 40
28040 Madrid

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
AUGMANITY NANO LTD
Israel
Net EU contribution
€ 892 219,00
Address
8 Hamada St
7670308 Rehovot

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00