October 2014 THE MONELL CONNECTION The Newsletter of the MONELL CENTER

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MONELL CENTER

TASTES Alberto Ruggieri/ Illustration Source OF LIFE

We perceive the world with five senses, but it is “ is even more important than we only one — taste — that internalizes our experiences previously knew, because how well you in the most visceral manner of them all. taste – or don’t taste – something might predict how well those same receptors Imagine biting into a crisp apple, rich with the fragrance of fall. function in other parts of the body,” sug- The faint tang puckers your tongue against gests geneticist Danielle Reed, PhD. your teeth, sugars and acids dribble across taste receptors on your tongue, Using cross-disciplinary approaches that and a wave of nervous and hormonal sig- span genomics, immunology, microbiolo- nals sweeps through your mouth, brain, gy, , and other fields, Monell and gut. taste researchers are looking beyond the tongue to identify the fundamental func- Outside the mouth, taste receptors in tions of extra-oral taste receptors in the the stomach, intestines, and pancreas all health – or disease – of the entire body. sense and respond to chemical signals from food. Surprisingly common in non- Gut alimentary organs as well, extra-oral taste Sensation receptors play myriad roles in cancer drug responses, sperm fertility, sinus Although humans detect many different infections, and more. molecules that elicit five distinct Continued from cover page [bitter, sweet, salty, sour, and umami The end result of this intracellular cascade (savory)], all these inputs are perceived allows the taste cell to announce a gustato- through a limited number of taste receptor ry sensation to the brain. types found in the tongue’s taste buds. Twenty-two years ago, molecular neurobi- Sweet and umami taste receptors arise ologist Robert Margolskee, MD, PhD, and from different combinations of receptor his colleagues discovered gustducin and proteins in the T1R family. Like old-fash- identified it as being specifically expressed ioned Tinkertoys, connecting T1R mole- in taste bud cells. More recently, Margolskee cules in different combinations makes and others showed that T1R and T2R taste taste receptors that are sensitive to singu- receptor proteins are expressed in sweet, lar taste qualities. The sweet receptor, for umami, and bitter-sensing taste receptor example, is a combination of T1R2+T1R3, cells in both rodent and human guts. while another version, which merges T1R1 and T1R3, is sensitive to glutamate and a These gut taste receptor cells helped to few other molecules and thus conveys explain a long-standing mystery concern- umami taste in humans. ing the of sugar metabolism. Researchers have known for several The distantly related T2R family contains decades that glucose in the gut acts much about 25 receptor proteins in humans, more effectively than intravenous glucose each sensitive to one or more bitter-tast- to increase plasma insulin levels. But, pre- ing molecules. When a T1R or T2R recep- cisely how or why was poorly understood. Nogueras Paola tor is activated by a taste molecule, it Robert F. Margolskee triggers a taste cell-expressed G-protein, Solving the puzzle “started with the real- called gustducin, which then sets off a sig- ization that the small intestine senses naling cascade within the taste bud cells. sugars using something that we had been studying for a number of years in oral taste cells: the combination of T1R2 and T1R3 receptor proteins,” says Margolskee. trast, glucose administered intravenously Glucose in the gut, they found, activates bypasses the gut and thus cannot activate sweet taste receptor cells in the intestine these cells to secrete the insulin-releasing to trigger hormonal signals that stimulate hormones. the pancreas to secrete insulin. In con- “The oral cavity’s taste receptor cells are gatekeepers, controlling ingestion,” says Margolskee. “I think it's appropriate to consider the entire digestive tract from a systems point of view, to see how different Pancreatic islet ß parts of this system are specialized for dif- cells contain both ferent physiological responses.” insulin (red) and the taste receptor Starting protein T1R2 Elsewhere (green). To detect a given molecule, whether in the mouth or elsewhere in the body, it makes evolutionary sense for the body to re-pur- pose the same receptors, according to geneticist Alexander Bachmanov, PhD.

With regard to understanding how we detect salty taste, still an unsolved mys-

Yan Li Yan tery, this logic led scientists such as

1 Bachmanov to begin the hunt for salt- sensing taste cells by studying sodium- specific ion channels that are nearly ubiquitous in other parts of the body.

“Sodium levels are strictly regulated inside the body, so cells need to have a way to detect it,” says Bachmanov. “Since sodium is also the stimulus for salty taste, it’s logical that taste cells would use the same mechanism.”

The search focused on a sodi- um channel known as ENaC (epithelial Na+ channel), which helps control salt con- centrations within kidney and lung. Since several cardiovas- cular diseases are linked to disorders in renal sodium transport, drugs to modulate or block ENaC activity are readily available. Scientists found that applying these pharmacological blockers

of ENaC activity reduced Nogueras Paola Danielle Reed rodents’ responses to salty tastes.

The most direct evidence for ENaC as a salty taste receptor came from experi- ments using ‘knockout’ mice engineered ing sensitivity to sweet taste under differ- Alexander Bachmanov to lack a specific that encodes a por- ent nutritional circumstances. tion of this channel. Because ENaC is so important throughout the body, it was Peter Peter Olson With regard to salt, Bachmanov notes that impossible to knock out all the channels there likely is more than one mechanism without killing the mice. But Bachmanov for salt taste detection. He speculates that found a way to knock out only the tongue’s there is also a more general receptor for ENaC channels; when he did, the mice no non-sodium mineral salts, such as potas- longer could sense the taste of salt. sium, which also are regulated throughout the body. This second mechanism cur- “Putting all this together suggested that rently remains unknown; Bachmanov sug- the same channel that transports and reg- gests that looking at mineral regulation in ulates sodium in our internal organs may other parts of the body just might help be responsible for taste bud cells being solve this part of the mystery. able to detect sodium,” says Bachmanov. Essential A similar approach recently increased to Health understanding of sweet taste when Margolskee’s team found that several Being cued-in to fundamental cellular sig- sugar sensors from intestine and nals like glucose or salt is one reason pancreas also are present in the tongue’s extra-oral taste receptors are required for T1R2+T1R3 sweet-sensing taste cells. They life itself. “It makes perfect sense to me,” speculate that these ‘nontraditional’ sweet says Reed. “We are talking about mole- taste receptors may play a role in regulat- cules that are essential to health. You can

2 not survive without glucose, without salt. most sensitive to the bitter taste of PTC And, at least without warning labels, you were also most able to launch an immune also will not survive if you cannot detect defense against invading bacteria in the poisons, which often are bitter.” nose.

At Monell, Reed studies how tiny genetic Taking this one step further, the group variations in taste receptors can add up to reported in a study published this year big health consequences. She has shown that small differences in the genetic that a small swap in the gene sequence of a sequence of T2R38 can change an individ- taste receptor protein can change a per- ual’s susceptibility to upper respiratory son’s taste sensitivity. For example, tract infections. changing three amino acids of the T2R38 bitter receptor gene makes the difference Using the T2R38 findings as a jumping off between people who are very sensitive to point, Reed now plans to develop ways to the nasty bitterness of phenylthiocar- study approximately 15,000 sites in the bamide (PTC) and those who are very human genome sequence and find vari- insensitive. Surprisingly – or at this point, ants of the T2R receptors. The goal, she maybe not so – it turns out that T2R38, says is “to see how the cacophony of bacte- along with nearly two-thirds of all bitter rial signals in the airways might be moni- Nogueras Paola receptors, is also expressed in our airways. tored by more than just this one bitter Hong Wang receptor and how people might differ.” If What are they doing there? To answer so, perhaps a quick taste test may someday this question, Reed, University of be all that’s needed to predict a person’s Pennsylvania otolaryngologist Noam susceptibility to some bacterial infections Cohen, MD, PhD, and their colleagues and perhaps even guide treatment looked at patients who suffer from chronic options. sinus infections. They found that the T2R38 receptors in the human nose had a Widespread function in recognizing bacterial signals— Receptors and that genetic variations in these recep- tors could control immune responses to Noting that many immune are also bacteria in the nose. Patients who were expressed in taste cells, “we want to see what these immune factors are doing in the taste system and how that relates to the development of taste disorders,” says molecular biologist Hong Wang, PhD.

Wang’s background studying immune mediators and the chemical senses has helped her merge the two seemingly disparate research areas. Inflammation disrupts a cell’s internal chemistry; Wang suspects that this disruption may underlie taste disorders associated with infections or autoimmune disorders.

“Current knowledge of taste disorders is mostly from human psychophysical stud- ies,” says Wang. “Little is known about the underlying causes.”

Triggering inflammation using a bacterial toxin halts growing taste cells and short- ens their average life span. Wang has

3 found that these molecular changes also are accompanied by a loss of taste sensa- tions in mice.

Understanding these molecular under- pinnings may be critical to treating taste disorders. For example, chemotherapy frequently alters cancer patients’ sense of taste; this common side effect often results in their eating poorly, causing mal- nutrition. Studying cancer drugs in mice, Wang found that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, and paclitaxel – three different anticancer agents with distinct tumor- killing mechanisms – all induced cell death in taste cells.

Wang also studies taste receptor dysfunc- tions related to aging and Parkinson’s disease. Learning how extra-oral taste receptors factor into these conditions Precisely how these taste receptor proteins could help develop better treatments or regulate male fertility is still unclear. They tools for diagnosing disease. may be key to sperm development, or they might influence motility by sensing amino Fertile acids and sugars, Mosinger speculates. Origins “These receptors may have been impor- Serendipity is often the friend of scien- tant for single celled organisms and for tists, helping them to make unexpected the sperm itself,” he says. “It may really discoveries in surprising places. Such is need these receptors to sense the chemical the case for molecular biologist Bedrich nature of the environment." Mosinger, MD, PhD, who was breeding knockout mice for a taste-related study Tasteful when he stumbled upon a role of taste Recycling receptor proteins in male fertility. The growing body of evidence reveals the Mosinger and his colleagues found that fundamental functions that taste receptor deleting two taste-related proteins – T1R3 components play throughout the body. and gustducin – made male rodents inca- pable of producing offspring. Their roles – sensing nutrients, triggering protective responses to toxins, and con- The results have significant therapeutic trolling fertility – hint at the molecular Monell Monell Center potential, according to Mosinger. “You can ancestors of our sense of taste. Like other Bedrich Mosinger look at it from both sides,” he says. “We senses, taste likely evolved from a rudi- can try to improve the ability of sperm to mentary sensory system used by early life fertilize an egg to treat infertility, or try to forms to navigate a more primitive world. develop a non-hormonal, reversible, male contraceptive.” “From that perspective, the taste system may be a very recent achievement,” says Mosinger. “The extra-oral roles of taste may be evolutionarily much older than the taste system we are familiar with.”

— Jyoti Madhusoodanan

4 Monell's faculty, staff and Board of Directors mourn the passing of George Rowe, Jr., the longest-serving member of the Center's board and for- mer President of the Ambrose Monell Foundation. A tribute will appear in the next newsletter. Paola Nogueras Paola A Seasoned Perspective Gary K. Beauchamp

goal that the founders of Monell had estab- lished in 1968. Paul Breslin, a psychologist of all trades, and I shared interests encompassing, among other things, three projects in human in particular a group of former and current post- flavor perception that were published in Nature. doctoral fellows — with whom I could contribute The last of these — on perceptual and pharma- Full Circle intellectually to a remarkably wide range of inter- cological properties of extra virgin olive oil — esting and important chemical senses research. I often claim as my own, but in truth all of the When Lewis Thomas, then Chairman of Monell’s actual work was done by others, most centrally board and my long-time research collaborator Here I mention only a few. With Dwight Riskey, Paul. And finally, I cannot forget perhaps my asked me to take over as director of the Center long before I became director, I developed a life- longest and closest collaborator — who again in 1990 following my predecessor Morley Kare’s long fascination with understanding why we did all the actual work — Kunio Yamazaki, who untimely death, I had one request (and quite a like salt so much. I was lucky to attract Beverly died about a year and a half ago. It was through few trepidations). The request was that I be per- Cowart, already well-known for her work on Kunio that my collaborations with Lewis mitted to spend about half my time doing research. lifespan changes in taste and smell, and later, Thomas and Ted Boyse led me into immunolo- I remember his reply very well: “I wouldn’t offer Leslie Stein, to lead subsequent projects on gy, evolutionary , disease diagnosis and you the position if you didn’t want to do this.” infant and child salty taste. At about that same back to my origins in animal behavior. time, through Charles Wysocki, I was able to And so over my 24+ years as director, I have broaden my interests in animal olfactory As I step down as director and return to sci- continued to write research papers and grant communication to be in the forefront of early ence, I know that Monell is in great hands. proposals and otherwise act as a research sci- experimental work with mammals on the Bob Margolskee will undoubtedly be a visionary entist. But if I am honest, I have to admit that vomeronasal organ. Related projects probed the leader. Our board is fully behind him and is I really have not done hands-on scientific re- mysteries of human perception of the odor of remarkably engaged and supportive of the search for many years. The job of managing the androstenone, the pig pheromone that provides Center’s success. Our faculty is outstanding; Center frequently can be all-encompassing, and an olfactory equivalent of human color blindness. they are the heart of what Monell is. The of course this has been my primary job — one administrative and support staff are the best — that I have loved. Although it often seemed to Almost coincident with becoming director, I and I know this from very direct experience. suck up the vast majority of my time and emotion- began working with three outstanding post- al energy, I would not have missed it for the world. doctoral fellows. Julie Mennella’s remarkable Over the past 44 years at Monell, many col- energy and insight helped us shape a new leagues here and around the world have also However, in addition to my administrative approach to infant flavor research that built on become among my wife Fay’s and my closest duties, I truly cherish the fact that I have been Monell’s early history of developmental work and friends. With our sons, Nicholas and Raymond, able to continue to contribute as a scientist. which she continues to independently carry on we have celebrated with them at parties and How I have managed this speaks to a founding with great recognition and success. Alexander weddings and births, and have joined them to premise of the Monell Center: multidisciplinary Bachmanov led me to join the molecular rev- mourn losses. Monell has been the seasoning — collaboration. My name is on hundreds of olution as we started a program (in collabora- the salt, sugar, umami, olive oil and all the research publications but, for only one of them tion with many others at Monell and elsewhere) rest — of our lives. We look forward to continu- am I the sole author. When I became director in positional gene cloning that eventually result- ing to savor these flavors and perhaps add I was blessed with a cadre of collaborators — ed in identification of a sweet taste receptor, a some new ones to the mix.

5 First Perspective Finding My Way

In assuming the Directorship from Gary be unafraid to try new approaches, and Sabina Louise Pierce Beauchamp I have a gifted leader to emu- run experiments rigorously and repeatedly late. Luckily, Gary will remain at Monell to to be certain of the results. pursue research and provide sage advice. I will depend on him and many of you to As a junior faculty member at the Roche help Monell move forward during these Institute of Molecular Biology, I was men- challenging financial times. tored by a more senior colleague, Frank Margolis, one of the first researchers to Because this is my first Perspective col- apply biochemistry and molecular biology Robert F. Margolskee umn and I am new to the Director’s job, it to olfaction, and by Sid Udenfriend, the seems a good time to reflect on what I have emeritus Director of the Roche Institute, uncovered the first pieces of the taste learned along my way. by all accounts and all meanings of the cell’s detection pathway. But, to really word a real macher. Both challenged me to understand the functions of these proteins, For most of my life I have been either create my own unique research program. we needed an in vivo model. In 1995 Gwen training to be a research scientist or prac- With their advice and encouragement, I Wong joined my lab as a postdoctoral ticing that trade – indeed, science is a set my sights on understanding the molec- fellow and generated “knockout” mice in trade, typically learned by studying the lit- ular basis of taste signaling – how a taste which gustducin had been deleted. I again erature and apprenticing with more expe- cell detects and responds to compounds – visited Monell, this time to seek advice on rienced scientists. Among the scientists and have followed that wonderful mean- how to evaluate the role of gustducin in who taught me were two Nobel laureates: dering path for the past 23 years. taste using our knockout mice. Gary Dan Nathans, my PhD advisor, and Paul Beauchamp and Alexander Bachmanov Berg, my postdoctoral mentor. They could The very first stop on my journey in the generously tutored me on using behavioral not have been more different. Dan was molecular biology of taste was at Monell, assays to evaluate taste responses of mice. quiet, reserved, and incredibly understat- where in early 1991 Joe Brand and Andrew Based on their input, we performed the ed. When he was awakened during the Spielman kindly instructed me on how to critical experiments and in 1996 pub- early morning hours by an excited harvest taste bud tissue from mice. With lished in Nature that gustducin was neces- reporter with news that Dan had won the that advice and hard work from my post- sary for the mouse’s ability to taste bitter Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking work doctoral fellows Susan McLaughlin and and sweet, but not salty or sour com- with restriction enzymes (bacterial pro- Peter McKinnon, we used the PCR (poly- pounds. We later determined that gust- teins that cut DNA), he refused comment, merase chain reaction) technique to mol- ducin also was important for the taste of stating that he would wait for independent ecularly clone the taste G-protein gustducin, umami (savory) compounds. confirmation of the news – a mantra Dan so-named by us because it is the gustatory frequently used in the lab when evaluat- relative of the transducins, two proteins There are many more examples of my ing new results. In contrast, Paul Berg of the eye that are essential for vision. debts to Monell scientists. From my 23 was outgoing, exuberant, and had a more years in the chemical senses field and domineering presence. We published our discovery of gustducin particularly from my last five years as a in Nature in 1992, followed by a second Monell faculty member, I have learned Dan and Paul were two of the founding Nature paper in 1995 showing that the how wonderful Monell is, both as a place fathers of the recombinant DNA (how to transducins are expressed not just in the to do science and as a resource to our splice any two pieces of DNA together) eye, but also in taste cells, where they link field. I hope that I can carry forward the revolution, now at the heart of much of to bitter taste receptors. legacies of Morley Kare and Gary current biological science. Among the Beauchamp and continue to grow Monell’s indispensable lessons I learned from So, starting with PCR, followed by gene abilities as an institution for superb them were: study important problems, cloning and protein biochemistry, we had science in taste and smell.

6 Magnificent Partnerships Supporting Monell

You may think of Monell as an organiza- John and Teresa Hickey jump started the A tion that is supported by federal and Sense of Hope anosmia research campaign industry sources. In actuality, while these through multiple donations. The Hickeys Leonardi Tommy important funders provide significant also encouraged us to communicate to the mission-based support, their grants and public to increase awareness about anos- sponsorships do not cover all the costs of mia. Their gift in turn inspired a major innovative proof of concept studies or the contribution from Monell board member high-risk high-gain projects that so often Philip Johnson to support our anosmia lead to significant scientific break- awareness efforts. His gift was then throughs. Traditional support also does matched two-to-one by his employer, not give us the capability to offer excep- thereby tripling the impact of Johnson's tional educational programming. philanthropy. Dwight Riskey

This is why we rely so strongly on individ- The Ambrose Monell Foundation remains Dwight Riskey, our board chair, continues uals, foundations, and small businesses, our largest private supporter. In addition to give at a leadership level, influencing all a growing part of our family of donors. to providing our namesake, the Founda- many others to follow in his footsteps. Each and every supporter makes a differ- tion has contributed significantly to our ence, from the recent Monell Science scientific enterprise over the years. And, finally, we highlight the generosity of Apprenticeship Program alumnae who Gary Beauchamp, whose philanthropy has made her first gift of $20 to the industry International Advisory Committee mem- mirrored his institutional leadership, expert who contributed a leadership gift ber Louise Slade has literally transformed further demonstrating his deep belief in of $450,000. our work, demonstrating a deep commit- Monell’s mission as the key source of sci- ment to basic research and our scientific entific research on the chemical senses Each of you plays a critical role in advanc- enterprise. Among the important initia- and their role in human and animal ing Monell’s mission, and we gratefully tives that Slade has supported was the health. commemorate all of our supporters from recruitment of Assistant Member Joel the past year in the enclosed Honor Roll. Mainland, whose predictive model of As Monell moves forward into a new era of Here we highlight a few of our most recent olfactory perception, using a combined leadership under Robert Margolskee, we major supporters: psychophysical and molecular approach, have in place a strong foundation on which is contributing significantly to the field to build. However, we need your support. and to his reputation as a rising expert Dr. Margolskee has innovative and excit- in human olfactory . ing ideas about how to involve each of you. Richard Berkman We know that, with your help, we will grow Long-time Monell friend, counsel and even stronger as the premier independent board member Richard Berkman made a research institute making meaningful major investment in Monell, continuing fundamental and translational scientific Tommy Leonardi Tommy his long tradition of support to the Center. discoveries in taste and smell.

To learn more about how you can support Monell, please contact Development Director Jenifer Trachtman at 267-519- 4715 or [email protected]. Or, visit www.monell.org/giving.

7 A Sense of Hope Moving Forward Sabina Sabina Louise Pierce

In October 2013, Monell announced a lead gift from collaboration between Monell’s Joel John and Teresa Hickey to Mainland, PhD, and Darren Logan, PhD, spearhead a research and from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. awareness program focused on anosmia, the loss of smell. The result is A Sense of b Awareness Highlights Hope: The Monell Anosmia A Sense of Hope Timeline Awareness goal: Increase public knowledge Project, which officially and understanding of the incidence and impact launched on February 27, b Research Highlights of smell loss. 2014. As detailed here, it Research goal #1: Develop fundamental February 2014: Interactive awareness web- has been an exciting and knowledge of how to isolate, grow, site launched. productive start. manipulate and transplant human olfactory stem cells. February 2014: Posted comprehensive pro- fessionally-vetted educational material on January 2014: Recruited Mridula Vinjamuri, Monell’s main website. PhD, an expert on stem cell regeneration, to work on olfactory stem cells with prin- May 1, 2014: Actor Bill Pullman, who lost cipal investigator Liquan Huang, PhD. his sense of smell in his early 20s, visits Monell. May 2014: Working with long-time clinical collaborator Edward Pribitkin, MD, of June 18, 2014: Launched anosmia aware- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, ness video featuring Pullman. began biopsies from healthy humans to Looking forward, Monell will build on the collect living olfactory tissue. foundation that we have put in place to May-September 2014: Validated techniques create a center of excellence for anosmia to maintain and grow human olfactory research. In addition to the new research stem cells in culture. just announced, we are in the planning stages for several other studies. We will Next steps: Identify biological factors need- continue to use innovative events, social Actor Bill Pullman gets acquainted with ed to induce cultured stem cells to differ- media, and videos to heighten awareness Monell's iconic Face Fragment. entiate and grow into mature olfactory and interest about this invisible disability receptor neurons. that affects the lives of millions worldwide. Research goal #2: Sequence DNA from Visit www.monell.org/research/anosmia to

Sabina Sabina Louise Pierce congenital anosmics and their relatives in an view the anosmia sites and video or to effort to identify the genetic basis underlying make a donation to support our efforts. some forms of congenital anosmia. Email [email protected] to sign up for September 2014: We are pleased to announ- A Sense of Hope’s mailing list. ce A Sense of Hope’s second research project, focused on congenital anosmia. Finally, please help us spread the word so Subjects are now being enrolled into we can make a difference to the millions of this exciting study, which involves a people who live in a world without smell. Reaching Out Each year, Monell participates in numerous events and educational outreach activities, often using everyday activities to highlight the science of taste and smell. Below are a few highlights from the past year.

Gary Beauchamp, Susan & Cummins Catherwood, Seaport Museum CEO John Brady, Jood & Tim Thompson Sabina Sabina Louise Pierce

Oh, Sugar!

On January 14th, Monell board member Susan Catherwood and her husband science and high- Cummins joined Independence Seaport lighting the cut- Museum board member Paul (Tim) ting-edge research that takes place every Thompson III and his wife Jood to co-host day “behind the golden nose.” Each includ- Cook, Eat, Remember: an evening celebrating Philadelphia’s sweet ed a programming component dedicated A Community Table at the Painted Bride tooth at the Museum’s Oh, Sugar! exhibit. to educating the public about anosmia. Theatre

Oh, Sugar! chronicled the history of As in past years, many Monell scientists Over sixty people attended this science and Philadelphia’s connection to the sugar and staff volunteered their time and art event presented by author and artist industry. As part of the evening’s expertise for each of the events. Some Patricia Moss-Vreeland and Monell on activities, Monell scientists conducted highlights: May 8th. The engaging theme centered on interactive science demos focused on the • Monell hosted two popular booths how olfactory memory contributes to our biology of sweet taste perception. at the adults-only kickoff Science Carnival relationship with food. Monell scientists After Dark. One asked participants to led guests through hands-on olfactory sci- ‘Imagine Life Without Smell’ by inviting ence demos before Marcia Pelchat, PhD, 2014 Philadelphia them to sample a fruity white wine with presented a brief talk on the science of Science Festival their noses pinched; the second used cheese olfactory memory. Following remarks by and salami to demonstrate how fat coun- Moss-Vreeland, guests enjoyed a commu- teracts the astringency of tannic red wine. nal potluck dinner of personally-mean- Since the inaugural event in 2011, Monell • Hands-on activities demonstrated ingful dishes and shared the associated has been a core collaborator of the the evocative nature of smell for West memories. Philadelphia Science Festival. The Festival – Philadelphia children and families during one of the first of its kind in the nation – Discovery Day: Science in Clark Park. focuses on taking science out of the • Interactive demos revealed connec- laboratories and classrooms and into tions between the chemical senses and the Philadelphia’s restaurants, galleries, brain’s limbic system during the multi- and street corners. stop Science Crawl: Brain Games. • Mridula Vinjamuri, PhD described This year, Monell participated in six her research on olfactory stem cell regen- events, including the Science Carnival eration at the West Philly Science on the Parkway, attended by over 40,000 Showcase, which featured a diverse people. Monell’s events were aimed at panel of science experts who live and increasing awareness of chemosensory work in West Philadelphia. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural

History Suzie Nieman

This summer, Monell scientists participated in several outreach events in conjunction with the museum’s Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code exhibit. On June 27, Danielle Reed and six members of her laboratory traveled to Washington DC to present an interactive demo entitled “Gin, Tonic, & Genotypes.” Participants sampled two bit- 2014 Monell Science Once again, a record number (over 250!) ter taste solutions and, based on their of high school and college students sensory responses, the Monell crew pre- Apprenticeship Program applied to the program; of the 19 accepted, dicted their relevant taste receptor geno- 16 were residents of Philadelphia. During types, followed by appropriate food and This summer the Monell Science their time at Monell, the apprentices cocktail recommendations. Later in the Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) wel- conducted bench research under the summer, Marcia Pelchat led events on comed its 33rd cohort of science appren- guidance of a scientist mentor. Each stu- genomics and wine appreciation, includ- tices to the Center. A seven-week paid dent pursued an independent research ing one at the Hirshhorn Museum as internship experience, MSAP is aimed at project and presented their findings at the part of the exhibit’s closing program, promoting diversity within the sciences program’s capstone event, the Final “Synthesizing Art and Science Through the and inspiring young Philadelphians to Symposium, which was attended by over Senses: Exploring the Aesthetics of DNA.” pursue STEM careers. 100 people.

research ideas. Monell is very grateful Corporate Sponsor News to have these valuable partnerships.

A new research consortium, Principles of sponsor companies over the years, of Malodor Antagonism: From Receptor to there is a group of Monell sponsor compa- Behavior, is expected to begin before nies that have been corporate partners year’s end. The consortium is led by Dr. The newest company to join Monell’s corpo- since Monell’s founding: Campbell Soup, Johannes Reisert and includes Drs. Joel rate sponsorship program is Keurig Green Firmenich, Givaudan, International Mainland, Paul Wise, Pamela Dalton and Mountain, which is leading a revolution in Flavors and Fragrances, and Unilever. Johan Lundström. Interested sponsor how we prepare coffee and other bever- Each of these companies made an unre- companies are invited to participate and ages and foods in the home and workplace. stricted five year pledge of $100,000 to help shape this new research initiative. Dr. Laurie Lucchina, R&D Senior help establish the Center. These alliances, Manager, commented, “Anything one can unusual for the time, were critical to the Monell also has two ongoing consortia. make with hot and cold water is now our Center’s early growth and helped support Five companies are participating in playground. As we expand into cold bever- the first faculty and postdoctoral posi- the Sweet Taste Adaptation Consortium ages, we turn to Monell for a deep under- tions, including bringing Dr. Gary and nine companies in the new Salt standing of the interactions between flavor, Beauchamp to Monell. Consortium. There is still an opportunity sweetness and carbonation.” for companies to join the Salt Consortium, Today, support from industry sponsors is which is focused on discovery of new salt Unlike quite a few of our sponsors, Green no less important. Not only does sponsor- taste receptors, understanding the salty Mountain did not exist when Monell was ship funding help Monell achieve scientif- and off-tastes of potassium chloride, and founded in 1968. Though there have been ic excellence, but the interactions with elucidation of the molecular mechanism many additions and changes to the roster industry scientists are a catalyst for new for bitter reduction by sodium salts.

10 MONELL A MONELL FROM MONELL TO MONELL

“We literally were underwriting something With a deep and abiding commitment to the Center’s mission, the Monell Foundation provides a great deal more than financial support that never had been done before.” to the Center. Beginning with Walter, who sat on the founding Advisory Council, a member of the Foundation has always been a — Ambrose K. Monell part of the Monell Center’s governance. In 1978, Rowe became a member of the Center’s initial board of directors when the Center separated from the University of Pennsylvania. He remained in this On October 17, 2013, Ambrose K. Monell became a duly-elected position until his death late this summer. Now Ambrose Monell will member of the Monell Center Board of Directors. Of course, fill that important role. Monell — the man and the name — is no stranger to the Center. Currently President of the Monell Foundation, which provided the Mr. Monell’s interest extends to all areas of the Center’s research. seed money to found the Center in 1968 and continues to provide “Discoveries such as taste receptors being located in the pancreas significant support, Ambrose Monell has been familiar with the are utterly fascinating,” he comments. Center for most of his life. He points out that a key objective of the Center’s board is to help the Mr. Monell was a teenager when Morley Kare — then a professor in public understand the significance of taste and smell science. “Our the veterinary school at Cornell University — was invited in the mid- most important role is to constantly think about and implement 1960s to speak to the Foundation on the importance of taste and strategies to further the institution’s success. For a small basic smell and the lack of research on these so-called ‘secondary’ senses. research institution, one of the most significant challenges is to answer the question, ‘So what?’” Founded in 1952 by Maude Monell Vetlesen in honor of her first hus- band — our current board member’s grandfather — the Ambrose “The board and leadership need to be successful in coming up with a Monell Foundation supports diverse religious, charitable, scientific, strategy and tactics to prove our relevance,” he said. “We have a lot literary, and educational causes. At the time of the Center’s inception, of good stories to tell.” the Foundation’s board of directors included Edmund C. Monell (son of Ambrose and father of Ambrose K.), Henry G. Walter, Jr., CEO of It sometimes can be challenging to have a name that is perhaps too International Flavors and Fragrances, and two New York lawyers: recognizable. With a smile, Mr. Monell recounts his first visit to the Foundation President Harmon Duncombe and George Rowe, Jr., who Center, a young man in his early 30s arriving to meet with Morley later succeeded Duncombe as President. Kare and attend a dinner:

As Mr. Monell grew up, he often was included in discussions of inter- “I get off the train [from New York City] and walk up to the Center. It was est to the Foundation. “They were good about keeping me up to a June day, it was warm. I come into the building and tell the receptionist, speed and bringing me to events to meet people and see what was ‘My name is Ambrose Monell.’ And she carefully looks back at me and going on,” he recalls. As his awareness grew, he realized that he says, ‘Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England.’” needed to become officially involved, and he joined the Foundation board in the mid-1990s.

Director Institutional Advancement THE MONELL CONNECTION Articles may not be Robert F. Margolskee, MD, PhD Carol M. Christensen, PhD Leslie J. Stein, PhD reproduced in any form Editor & Writer without permission. Development Jenifer Trachtman Chelsea A. Lewis Writer Sandra Gelak Design

MONELL CENTER Monell Center (267) 519-4700 ADVANCING DISCOVERY IN TASTE AND SMELL 3500 Market Street [email protected] Philadelphia, PA 19104-3308 www.monell.org

OUR MISSION IS TO ADVANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE MECHANISMS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CHEMICAL SENSES TO BENEFIT HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. Monell Center Donors 2013-2014

One of our ongoing pleasures is being able to say THANK YOU to the friends, alumni, employees, foundations and businesses who support Monell’s research mission through philanthropy. We gratefully recognize donations received between July 1, 2013 and July 15, 2014. We also gratefully recognize consistent long-term support of the Center, acknowledging those who have given at least once a year for three or more consecutive fiscal years. The Monell Circle ($1,000+)

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David Adams Bruce Bryant Gisela M. Epple Osama Ahmed Robert W. Bryant Pu Feng David Allison Jodie Carr Michael Bloom, Flavor & Gerald and Sandra Ambrozy Holly Carria Fragrance Specialties, Inc. Donna Antonucci Gurbuz Celebi David E. Gabl Angelica Au Jinghua Chai Paul Frail and Michelle William Bassett Mary M. Chatterton Gallagher-Frail Ahmet Baydar Denise Chen Alan Gelperin Doug L. Bayley Tina Chen Avery Gilbert Craig and Kathy Beauchamp Ellen Christensen John Glendinning Paul Beck Bill Clark, Animal Specialties Alfred E. Goossens Anne M. Belcher and Provisions Victoria Grant Raymond L. Bendure Mr. and Mrs. Walter Clayton Michael Greenberg Mary Bertino Anthony Commesso Cindy Guerrero-Munguia Jane Hurst and Robert Beynon Joan Marie Condon Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Hall Gordon G. Birch Beverly Cowart Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Halpern Sean Blair Pamela Dalton Tracey A. Hewitt Donna Brown Grant DuBois Dale Hill Paul Breslin Makoto Emura Cliff Holmes Continued Pamela Horowitz Scott Parker Monica P. Winter Kazumi Osada Anita P. Hotchkiss Valentina Parma Colin Wolfe Israel Ramirez Liquan Huang Charles Peterson Deborah Wright Krystyna M. Rankin John Ivers George Preti Jiang Xu Dwight R. Riskey William W. Jacobs, Jr. Matthew B. Price Rieko Yajima George Rowe ( deceased ) Derek James Allen Puchalski Karen Kalun Yee Gail E. Seygal Peihua Jiang Alan Rabunski Debra A. Zellner Louise Slade Herve Kadji Israel Ramirez Andrew Spielman Carol Kare Krystyna M. Rankin Charles N. Stewart Susan Kare Danielle Reed Christopher and Anilet Tharp John S. Kauer Johannes Reisert Rose Marie Threatte Richard Kay Nathaniel Rifkin Thomas Venanzi David P. Kennedy Michele Ritan Three or More Mr. and Mrs. David Lee Whaley Bruce Kimball George Rowe ( deceased ) Consecutive Years Akihiko Kitamura Kenneth W. Royer of Support Hy W. Kliman Samantha Rufo Katie Knott James Russell James J. Albrecht Daniel and Deborah Knox Katsuyoshi Saito Gerald and Sandra Ambrozy Susan Knox Joseph Salkowitz Arthur and Carolyn Asbury Matching Gift Steven G. Kohl Ana I. Segura Mary E. Bak Companies Marilyn Krueger Gordon M. Shepherd Larry Ballen Donna M. Kupniewski Slidemakers Doug L. Bayley Colgate-Palmolive Company Jae Kwak Burton Slotnick Gary K. Beauchamp International Flavors & Michael Lankin Lindsey Snyder Richard L. Berkman Fragrances, Inc. Harry T. Lawless Lewis S. Somers, IV Mary Bertino Johnson & Johnson Jane Leland and Rich Fisher Leslie Stein Dr. and Mrs. Jules Blake Kraft Foods Harriet Lembeck Charles N. Stewart Susan W. Catherwood The Kresge Foundation John J. Lepri Melissa Strader Mr. and Mrs. Walter Clayton The Pew Charitable Trusts Chelsea Lewis Karie Strader David Michael & Company Xia Li Marvin D. Suer Dr. and Mrs. Arnold E. Denton Daniel Malamud Jana Svoboda Robert Eilerman Abigail Mandel Takasago International Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Hall Charles H. Manley Corporation Robert W. Harkins Teresa Maone James Tan Richard Hasselbusch To make a gift to Monell, Robert F. Margolskee Soichi Tanabe Tracey A. Hewitt please contact Jenifer Talia D. Martin Kazumi Taniguchi Pamela Horowitz Trachtman, Director of Irwin G. Martin Stanley Tarka, Jr. William W. Jacobs, Jr. Development, at 267-519-4715 Renee Marton Hideki Tateba Philip S. Johnson or [email protected]. Visit Susan Matour Nicholas M. Termini Carol Kare www.monell.org/giving to make Richard Mattes Christopher and Anilet Tharp Patricia Kind a secure online contribution. Moira McAndrews Tim and Jood Thompson Steven G. Kohl Every effort has been made to Harold McDaniel Rose Marie Threatte Marilyn Krueger ensure the accuracy of this list. Robert McGorrin Jenifer Trachtman John N. Labows If we have inadvertently Kiyoshi Miwa Mr. and Mrs. John K.T. Tran Harriet Lembeck misspelled or omitted your Takenori Miyamoto Catherine Tyree-Davis Alan I. Leshner name, please accept our Bedrich Mosinger Bob Veight Xia Li apologies and notify Jenifer Maxwell M. Mozell Thomas Venanzi William J. Ludlum Trachtman. Yuko Murata Michael W. Wall David Macnair Claire Murphy Jan Walters Daniel Malamud Michelle Murphy-Niedziela Hong Wang Robert F. Margolskee Bernard Noonan Ira Warder, Jr. Richard Mattes Lisa Norris Kathleen M. Watson David Jason Mela Coral Norton Agneta Weisz Ambrose K. Monell Yukio Okada Erin K. West Maxwell M. Mozell Kazumi Osada Mr. and Mrs. David Yuko Murata Laura Lukasewycz Overton Lee Whaley Kumiko Ninomiya M. Hakan Ozdener Don C. Williams Shaun F. O'Malley