John Kauer
Professor
Tufts University School of Medicine - Dept. of Neuroscience
136 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA 02111
Tel: 617-636-3844 ~ Fax: 617-636-0476

Work in Dr. Kauer’s laboratory seeks to characterize the principles by which information is processed and integrated in brain circuits. More narrowly, his work focuses on elucidating mechanisms that underlie how the sense of smell encodes the chemical and physical properties of odors. The lab uses a variety of techniques extending from investigations into odorant receptor gene expression epithelium, to electrophysiological and optical recording from groups of receptor and brain neurons, to behavioral analysis of odorant recognition. Most of the studies are carried out in an animal model (the tiger salamander) that has specific advantages for these experiments. Based on anatomical and physiological data obtained from this preparation over many years a wealth of directly comparable information has accumulated. Using these data researchers have assembled a robust hypothesis and mathematical model, based on principles of parallel, distributed processing, of how the olfactory system may carry out molecular recognition of odorants in both the salamander and other vertebrates.

Most recently, in collaboration with a colleague, Joel White, Dr Kauer has built an “artificial olfactory system” which is based on physiological and anatomical principles that have emerged from their biological studies. Although other artificial noses have been built, the two researchers believe this is the first that seeks to emulate not just the cross-reactivity of odor sensors, but in addition many other biological principles (at the present time more than 22). Development of this device has served as both an analytical tool for guiding their thinking about how the olfactory system functions, as well as a system with practical utility for identifying volatile molecules in the real world. For example, studies have initial data showing that, under certain conditions, the sensitivity of the device is somewhat better than that of dogs for detecting and discriminating nitroaromatic explosive compounds, allowing the detection of mines by their vapor phase signatures. One imagines that such devices could be developed for characterizing odors related to process control, medical diagnosis, analytical chemistry, and detection of compounds in the environment that include toxic compounds, pollutants, and other explosives.