Story perspectives

Harvard Maps 1,000 Mouse Olfactory Receptors, Reveals Stripe Pattern

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Harvard’s Dr. Sandeep Datta led a study that mapped over 1,000 mouse olfactory receptors, published April 28, 2026 in *Cell*.
Using single-cell sequencing on ~5.5 million neurons from >300 mice, they discovered horizontal stripe bands that align with a matching olfactory-bulb map.
Retinoic-acid gradients determine stripe placement, with modifications shifting the uniform pattern that will be examined in human tissue for smell-loss therapy research.

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Story summary

Harvard’s Dr. Sandeep Datta led a study that mapped over 1,000 mouse olfactory receptors, published April 28, 2026 in *Cell*.
Using single-cell sequencing on ~5.5 million neurons from >300 mice, they discovered horizontal stripe bands that align with a matching olfactory-bulb map.
Retinoic-acid gradients determine stripe placement, with modifications shifting the uniform pattern that will be examined in human tissue for smell-loss therapy research.