Monell Chemical Senses Center

#ICYMI -- Here are a few moments we captured from our corporate partners meeting earlier this month. Thank you to everyone who made it to Philadelphia and is part of this strong network of partners committed to growing our understanding of the senses! To hear more about the new Monell insiders program, contact partnersprogram@monell.org.

We have some exciting news on the way! While we prepare for the big announcement, our Executive Director Benjamin Smith has this to share: “We know that cultural, environmental, and genetic factors shape olfactory and gustatory experiences across diverse – Eastern and Western – populations. Through this ‘East Meets West’ partnership, we will explore these influences, which could lead to improved cross-cultural food product development and precision health nutrition efforts. By working together and connecting our knowledge and expertise, we can build a healthier world.” What do you think? Why is it so important to understand the cultural and environmental factors shaping our experiences with smell and taste?

Of Cravings and Weight Loss (from Monell's 2024 annual report) From the mouth to the gut to the brain, humans are complexly wired to be vigilant of what we ingest. The lab of Dr. Amber Alhadeff found two distinct neural circuits that govern different effects of the same type of weight-loss drug, the popular glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor (GLP1) agonists. The aim is to understand how to selectively activate one circuit to promote weight loss while avoiding the aversive side effect of nausea. The GLP1-based drugs produce impressive weight loss results in clinical trials, and according to the World Health Organization, in 2022, one in eight people globally were living with obesity, making the development of drugs like these a public health priority. Speaking of gut-brain connections, most humans have experienced cravings at one point or another, whether for fatty, creamy ice cream or salty, crispy potato chips. A study from the lab of Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue, found that combining separate fat and sugar craving pathways overly triggers our desire to eat more than usual. “It’s like a one-two punch to the brain’s reward system,” said de Lartigue. “Even if the total calories consumed in sugar and fats stays the same, combining fats and sugars leads to significantly more dopamine release and, ultimately, overeating in the mice we studied.”

At Monell, we aspire to serve as a global town square for dialogue on relevant sensory science and its impact on health, societal, and environmental challenges. As a result, one of our top highlights from the last few months is a series of events that brought together scientists, students, and government officials. On one summer day, Mr. Anthony Luker (Pennsylvania Governor’s Office) presented to Executive Director Benjamin Smith a citation from Governor Josh Shapiro recognizing "the Monell Center for its milestone Phase I groundbreaking ceremony." On that day, we celebrated the achievements of our science interns during the MSAP Capstone Symposium as well as the completion of Phase I of our master facilities plan (funded by the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, RACP and the Ambrose Monell Foundation). The events were a reminder of PA State Rep. Rick Krajewski's words two years ago, describing Monell as “an organization with an important research mission that also sees training the next generation as vital to the economy.”

#ICYMI: Extended deadline to February 5, 2025. The Open Access Journal Nutrients MDPI invites your submission to its Special Issue: The Interaction Between #Flavor and #Diet. The journal and Guest Editor Monell Chemical Senses Center Member Paul Wise welcomes submissions of "original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses in the area of #SensoryNutrition, including research that focuses on how the chemical senses affect people’s diet and health." Many things in life influence what we eat and much research shows that flavor - including #taste, #smell, and #mouthfeel - is a primary driver of what we eat or reject. A better understanding of this can better inform public policy and development of new foods and dietary guidelines to improve people’s health. See here for more information and how to submit: https://lnkd.in/eSvRWcNH

#ICYMI Monell Chemical Senses Center's Danielle Reed shared one of her lab's research topics, "Inborn genetic variation, taste, and food preference in humans," at the 2024 Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition International Symposium and Annual Meeting: Advances in Farm to Table Technology for Human Health. Check out Monell's most recent annual report for more about our broad research partnerships and topics in smell, taste, chemesthesis, and interoception: https://lnkd.in/expNH3h9

Yesterday, on National Mentoring Day, the Monell Center announced the release of the 2024 Impact Report of the Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP). The report highlights the educational experiences, research projects, and mentorship that made this summer an unforgettable experience for our apprentices. At Monell, we aspire to excite and educate the next generation of thought leaders in sensory science. For over 40 years, MSAP has worked to provide students who are traditionally underrepresented on research teams the opportunity to work alongside scientists so that they can explore research as a career choice. Thank you for being a part of our journey in fostering scientific curiosity and professional growth through mentorship! You can view the report at https://lnkd.in/dm_HYp72 And you can support MSAP at monell.org/support-msap/

Had a great day yesterday at the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association Fall symposium sharing about the fabulous science we do at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. There are so many collaborative opportunities for us to partner on to advance our knowledge of the chemical senses and translate our understanding standing into solutions to improve food and nutrition security and make more flavorsome products! If you would like to learn more about Monell please check out our website (www.monell.org) and connect! I have also included the link to our 2023-2024 annual report - it is a great read that showcases some of the fabulous research being done at Monell by our fantastic team of scientists! https://lnkd.in/dgy-vDqD

Announcing the Monell Center's 2023-2024 Annual Report! The chemical senses – smell, taste, and internal chemoreception – connect us all to one another and to the world we live in. The theme of Monell's 2023-2024 annual report, and indeed, our achievements, is Connections. It has been a productive year of growth and teamwork translating Monell’s fundamental research into advances in world health. From "Nutrition and Food Security" to "Sensations Beyond Taste and Smell," enjoy this review of a year of research and discovery via https://lnkd.in/expNH3h9

Alba is among Philadelphia's gems, working to create an ecosystem that nurtures a healthy and innovative economic environment for everyone! Her remarks were as inspirational as our scientists' talks were exciting!