# Molecular basis of olfaction in Tsetse fly

> **NIH NIH F32** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $72,630

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 The tsetse fly transmits trypanosomiasis to humans and animals across ~38 countries of Africa.
In humans the disease is called African Sleeping Sickness. There is no vaccine to prevent it, and 70
million people are at risk. In animals the disease is called nagana, and it imposes a major economic
burden on sub-Saharan Africa. The most effective means of preventing these diseases is to control
the tsetse flies that transmit them, and olfactory traps have been particularly useful. Tsetse flies find
their human and animal hosts largely through olfactory cues. Better understanding of the tsetse
olfactory system may lead to better means of control.
 This proposal focuses on odorant receptors of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans, with highest
priority accorded to receptors whose expression is well characterized in the tsetse antenna. The
experimental plan calls for an analysis of the response profiles of these GmmOr receptors, which will
be accomplished by an electrophysiological screen of 130 odorants. Many of these odorants are
human or animal host emanations. The panel includes a set of odorants that have previously been
tested against the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster or the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, to
facilitate comparison of the G. morsitans receptors with the receptor repertoires of these species. The
GmmOr receptors will be tested in an in vivo expression system, the "empty neuron" system. We will
determine whether the receptors are broadly or narrowly tuned, and whether any respond to low
concentrations of host odorants. Odorants that elicit strong responses will be tested behaviorally to
determine whether they are strong attractants of G. morsitans. Odorants that elicit a strong attractive
response at low concentrations may be useful as trapping agents. Olfactory behavior will also be
examined as a function of sex and feeding history; several key hypotheses will be tested.
 The proposal should provide the first detailed functional characterization of odorant receptors in
tsetse. The experimental plan is designed to produce valuable new information about the olfactory
responses of this fly. The study could also identify new agents useful in controlling tsetse and the
diseases that it carries.
 The proposal will provide training in electrophysiology, molecular biology, genetics, and vector
biology to Dr. Shimaa Ebrahim, who has little or no experience in these topics. The project will benefit
from an environment that contains a great deal of expertise in insect olfaction. Moreover, Yale is one
of the world's centers of tsetse research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163668
- **Project number:** 5F32DC018445-02
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Shimaa abdelsalam mohamed Ebrahim
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $72,630
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163668

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163668, Molecular basis of olfaction in Tsetse fly (5F32DC018445-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163668. Licensed CC0.

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