Abstract: Provided are devices and methods to detect the presence of volatile organic compounds related to the presence of a disease state in a biological sample. The devices may include a detection moiety such as a polynucleotide in electronic communication with a semiconductor such as graphene or a carbon nanotube.

Abstract: Provided are systems, methods, and kits for multifunctional smell assessment. The kits may comprise a first surface adhered by a first releasable adhesive comprising an odorous volatile compound; and the system for registering if the odorous volatile compound is detected by a user. The system or method may comprise queries for obtaining a first input on whether the user detects and identifies the odorous volatile compound, and an intensity by which the odor is perceived.

Abstract: Methods for stimulating the G protein receptor (Gpr91) pathway in intestinal cells to release IL-25 and enhance a type II immune response in the subject are useful in the treatment or prevention of bacterial or parasitic infection. Similarly methods and compositions used therein to inhibit or stimulate GPR91 are useful for the treatment or inhibition of certain diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and Crohn's disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Specifically, the invention provides diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of respiratory infections using bitter and sweet taste signal transduction pathways. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating a respiratory infection by administering a composition to the respiratory tract of a subject in an amount capable of activating bitter taste signaling and/or inhibiting sweet taste signaling. The composition comprises at least a bitter receptor agonist and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for delivering the composition to the respiratory tract. In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition for treatment of a respiratory infection. Such composition comprises at least a bitter receptor agonist and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for delivering the composition to the respiratory tract.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for assaying infectivity of viruses and potential treatments of such viruses in the upper respiratory tract using an air-liquid interface model with nasal epithelium cells; and treatment of viral infections of the upper respiratory tract by treating with bitter taste receptor agonists that stimulate NO production and/or antimicrobial protein production.

Abstract: Described herein are mammalian taste papillae cells, cell lines, and cell membranes, methods, and kits for identifying agents, including ligands for olfactory receptors and enhancers and blockers thereof, that bind to or modulate the activity of olfactory receptors on mammalian taste papillae cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Specifically, the invention provides diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of respiratory infections using bitter and sweet taste signal transduction pathways. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating a respiratory infection by administering a composition to the respiratory tract of a subject in an amount capable of activating bitter taste signaling and/or inhibiting sweet taste signaling. The composition comprises at least a bitter receptor agonist and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for delivering the composition to the respiratory tract. In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition for treatment of a respiratory infection. Such composition comprises at least a bitter receptor agonist and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for delivering the composition to the respiratory tract.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the area of body odour modelling. In particular, the developed synthetic compositions of the present invention reconstitute human body odours, especially those arising from axillary perspiration. The use of the compositions herein allows for the evaluation of malodour masking effects of fragrant compositions in the field of personal care or homecare products and cosmetic product development.

Abstract: A composition comprising a bitter tastant and at least one sophorolipid and optionally a carrier; wherein the composition is edible and wherein the bitter taste of said bitter tastant is reduced. A method of reducing bitter taste attributed to a bitter tastant in an edible composition, said method comprising adding to said edible composition an effective amount of at least one sophorolipid and optionally a carrier; such that any bitter taste induced by the bitter tastant is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the area of body odour modelling. In particular, the developed synthetic compositions of the present invention reconstitute human body odours, especially those arising from axillary perspiration. The use of said compositions allows for the evaluation of malodour masking effects of fragrant compositions in the field of personal care or homecare products and cosmetic product development.

Abstract: A composition comprising a bitter tastant and at least one sophorolipid and optionally a carrier; wherein the composition is edible and wherein the bitter taste of said bitter tastant is reduced. A method of reducing bitter taste attributed to a bitter tastant in an edible composition, said method comprising adding to said edible composition an effective amount of at least one sophorolipid and optionally a carrier; such that any bitter taste induced by the bitter tastant is reduced.

Abstract: Deodorant compositions are disclosed comprising a cross-adapting agent, alone or in combination with other such agents, in an amount effective to reduce perception of malodor. Deodorant compositions are also disclosed comprising a cross-adapting agent, alone or in combination with other such agents, in an amount effective to reduce perception of gender-specific malodor. The methods feature reducing perceived body odor comprising administering a deodorant composition wherein the composition comprises an amount of cross-adapting agent effective to reduce perception of such odor. Other methods feature blocking perceived body odor comprising administering a deodorant composition wherein the composition comprises an amount of cross-adapting agent effective to occupy an odorant receptor site, thereby blocking interaction of the site with other odorants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying a molecule that provides or enhances a sweet taste in the mouth and compositions containing such molecules. The methods involve determining the effect of a variety of known or new compounds on expression or functional activity of a glucose-transporter protein of the activity of an ATP-gated K+ channel (KATP) in a mammalian oral cell, taste cell, or heterologous cell that expresses the protein or channel.

Abstract: An olfactometer is disclosed. Such an olfactometer may include a control unit, an odor box, and a nose piece in communication with the odor box. The control unit may include a reservoir, and a compressor for supplying pressurized air to the reservoir. The odor box may include at least one compressed air actuated valve, and at least one odor canister in communication with the valve. A compressed air flow and a breathable air flow are both released from the reservoir and directed to the valve. The compressed air flow actuates the valve to thereby direct the breathable air to the odor canister to odorize the breathable air. The odorized breathable air is then directed to the nose piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of several genes of the domestic dog (Canine familiaris) associated with taste perception. The invention provides, inter alia, the nucleotide sequence of the canine Tas1r1, Tas1r2, and Tas1r3 receptor genes, the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded thereby, and antibodies to the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for compounds that modify the genes' function or activity, the compounds identified by such screens, and mimetics of the identified compounds. The invention further provides methods for modifying the taste preferences, ingestive responses, or general behavior of a mammal such as a dog by administering compounds that affect the function or activity of the gene or the polypeptide encoded thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of several genes of the domestic cat (Felis catus) associated with taste perception. The invention provides, inter alia, the nucleotide sequence of the feline Tas1r1, Tas1r2, and Tas1r3 receptor genes, the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded thereby, and antibodies to the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for compounds that modify the genes' function or activity, the compounds identified by such screens, and mimetics of the identified compounds. The invention further provides methods for modifying the taste preferences, ingestive responses, or general behavior of a mammal, such as a cat, by administering compounds that affect the function or activity of the gene or the polypeptide encoded thereby.

Abstract: Methods for identifying modulators of the epithelial sodium ion channel and for identifying modulators of salty taste perception are described. Also featured are isolated human salty taste receptors, artificial lipid bilayers comprising an epithelial sodium ion channels, and kits for practicing the claimed methods.

Abstract: The invention provides oleocanthal analogs and methods of using oleocanthals in various formulations including, food additives; pharmaceuticals; cosmetics; animal repellants; and discovery tools for mammalian irritation receptor genes, gene products, alleles, splice variants, alternate transcripts and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying a molecule that provides or enhances a sweet taste in the mouth and compositions containing such molecules. The methods involve determining the effect of a variety of known or new compounds on expression or functional activity of a glucose-transporter protein of the activity of an ATP-gated K+ channel (KATP) in a mammalian oral cell, taste cell, or heterologous cell that expresses the protein or channel.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for stimulating the T1R1/T1R3 receptor comprising contacting the receptor with pyrophosphate and one or more amino acids. Also provided, is a Felidae food product comprising pyrophosphate and one or more amino acids. Methods for determining the pyrophosphate-augmented activity of a test compound on the T1R1/T1R3 receptor are also described, as well as methods for adjusting the food formulation for Felidae.