Our genes and our sense of smell are intricately linked. Brush up on your Scent Facts. How genes affect the sense of smell Smells are received in our nasal passageways by olfactory receptor proteins.
Genes are blueprints for the construction of proteins.
Each olfactory receptor protein is encoded by one gene. The olfactory receptor proteins have unique shapes, sizes and electrical charges. By studying the genes that code for olfactory receptor proteins, we are able to gain a better understanding of why certain molecules smell a certain way. This proportionally huge number reflects how important smell is for animals and humans. It combines biotechnology, informatics and sensory research to create a digital index of smells that can be harnessed for many uses.