# Mapping gustatory neuron types.

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $39,459

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The afferent sensory neurons that innervate taste buds have eluded definition at the molecular
level until very recently. Specifically, it has been unclear if separate classes of neurons
innervate the well-established receptor cell types in the taste bud. It has also been unclear
whether there are dedicated neuronal circuits that connect peripheral receptor cells, afferent
sensory neurons and the first relay neurons in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract in the brainstem.
Progress has been impeded by the lack of molecular markers to distinguish gustatory neuronal
cell types. We have recently completed a study on single-cell RNAseq of geniculate ganglion
neurons. Our detailed bioinformatics analyses, which are publicly accessible, revealed neuronal
subtypes based on deep separations in their transcriptome profiles. Our study also yielded
markers which permit us to distinguish the classes of gustatory neurons. We propose to
examine the three main classes, T1, T2 and T3, in several ways. We will assess whether each
class of neurons associates with taste buds in a given receptive field, or with particular taste bud
cells types. We will also examine the central projections of neurons of each class for insights
into their potential roles in gustation. Second, we will evaluate whether the gustatory neuron
types preferentially convey information on particular taste qualities. And finally, we will examine
the significance of the novel hybrid gustatory-mechanosensory neuron type that we recently
reported, using in vivo confocal Ca2+ imaging in transgenic mice expressing the Ca2+ indicator,
GCaMP. Together, these analyses will be the first to assess the extent of heterogeneity in the
peripheral and central connectivity and functional properties of defined subtypes of gustatory
neurons.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10569149
- **Project number:** 3R01DC017303-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Nirupa Chaudhari
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $39,459
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10569149

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10569149, Mapping gustatory neuron types. (3R01DC017303-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10569149. Licensed CC0.

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