# Identity and Neural Encoding of Social Odors

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $433,390

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Mammals use pheromones to find mates, regulate reproduction, and organize social behavior. The
identification of new pheromones, purified from natural sources, has repeatedly triggered new discoveries
about the genes, cells, and circuits essential for social behavior.
 Recently, my lab identified two novel pheromones present in male mouse urine. These pheromones
play an essential role in at least one behavior, the acceleration of puberty in juvenile females. However, several
features of these new pheromones, and the responses of the neurons that detect them, suggest an even wider
role. Structural clues present in these new compounds hint at a previously-unsuspected mechanism for their
detection involving multiple sensory systems, receptor genes, circuit mechanisms, and metabolic pathways.
We propose to (1) determine whether a multisensory complex involving both volatile and nonvolatile cues
coordinate the discovery, detection, and recognition of these vital cues, (2) identify the receptor genes involved
in their detection and consequent behaviors, and (3) test whether stereotyped circuit features contribute to the
production and plasticity of suitable behavioral responses. We believe that the new opportunities afforded by
these novel pheromones will provide new tools to probe fundamental mechanisms regulating mammalian
physiology and behavior.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10446050
- **Project number:** 2R01DC010381-11A1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Timothy Holy
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $433,390
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2009-09-30 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10446050

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10446050, Identity and Neural Encoding of Social Odors (2R01DC010381-11A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10446050. Licensed CC0.

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