The present stage of the research is a ‘proof of concept’ study — an experiment to see if genetically engineering mice to have enhanced sniffing ability is feasible. The outcome of this is that there’s mileage in further research, and that in the near-future U.S. homeland security could make use of mice (or other suitable animals) to ‘sniff out’ key substances.
Mice are relatively effective at detecting scents and homing in on things of interest, such as food. The research has taken this basis and genetically engineered a group of mice to home in on certain chemicals.
The research focuses on two scents: a chemical that has the same sweet smell as jasmine; and a chemical that smells much like peppermint. In studies, the genetically engineered mice could detect these scents at a much lower level than control mice (mice that had not undergone any genetic engineering.)
The research was led by Dr Paul Feinstein and Dr Charlotte D’Hulst, both of whom work at Hunter College, City University of New York. Interviewed by the BBC, Dr Feinstein stated: “What we think we can do is make ‘super sniffers’ for particular odors.”
The genetic engineering element included breeding mice with human receptors for smelling particular odors.
While the pleasant fragrances of jasmine and peppermint are not signals of dangerous drugs or bombs, the success of the study means that odors associated with these types of substances will be attempted next. The success of this next phase will be based on finding the key receptor in the main chemicals.
This research follows on from earlier studies where rats have been used to track down land mines in some countries in Africa. There is also a potential medical benefit from the research, for it could also assist those who lose their sense of smell as they age.
The research has been published in the journal Cell Reports. The research is titled “MouSensor: A Versatile Genetic Platform to Create Super Sniffer Mice for Studying Human Odor Coding.”
With the news, software company Salsita Software (@salsitasoft) tweeted: “Bomb-sniffing mice. Amazing how biology – albeit genetically modified – can still outperform machines.” Another user, also highlighting the news, raises an alternative application. Here Toronto Star columnist Ask Pippa (@AskPippa) tweeted: “Maybe some day super-sniffing mice could help diagnose disease, be used in the perfume industry. Now that’s #biotech.”
