Estimating the size of the olfactory repertoire.
The concept of shape space, which has been successfully implemented in immunology, is used here to construct a model for the discrimination power of the olfactory system. Using reasonable assumptions on the behaviour of the biological system, we are able to estimate the number of distinct olfactory receptor types. Our estimated value of around 1000 receptor types is in good agreement with experimental data.
Carmel
L
L
Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Harel
D
D
Lancet
D
D
D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009812:Odorants; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000502:physiology*
D018035:Receptors, Odorant