UI researchers look at sense of smell with flies and humans
By Greg Kline
Sunday December 2, 2007
John Dixon
University of Illinois cell and developmental biology Professor Huey Hing sits at a microscope in his laboratory at the Chemical and Life Sciences Building with vials of fruit flies around him.
Our nose collects the chemical signatures of smells around us – roses, pizza and stuff not so pleasant – and sends the information via a nerve link to our brain, which sorts everything out and tells us whether to salivate or open a window.
Now, the fruit fly has no nose, but don't feel sorry for the little insect. Its antennae serve the same purpose, one even more vital to flies than to people because the fly relies primarily on its olfactory sense to find food, avoid enemies and locate suitable mates, among other things.
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