Breakthrough in MIT's RealNose project could mean artificial noses for all - yay
by Stephanie Patterson 
posted Sep 30th 2008 at 4:47PM
The quest for the ultimate artificial nose is still underway, and thanks to a major breakthrough by the folks over at MIT, it might be sooner than later that we're all unwrapping stylish sniffers under the Christmas tree. More importantly, the fruits of MIT's RealNose project could replace drug and explosive-sniffing dogs as well as detect certain medical conditions via the odors emitted. Up to now, the tricky part of studying the sense of smell has been in isolating proteins (olfactory receptors) to get a good look at how they work. But in this latest development, researchers are now able to produce specific receptors using wheat germ. Engineered mammalian cells can be used to the same effect. What makes this so great is, while the human nose is relatively limited in what it can detect, this discovery could unlock the potential to detect an almost infinite range of odors. G.I. Joe with "action nose" here we come.[Via PhysOrg]
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chaster meif @ Sep 30th 2008 4:57PM
PNAS... seriously?
Forrest @ Sep 30th 2008 5:41PM
I was on-site a few months ago and my customer was on the phone and called his software account manager a pecker sniffer. I wonder if he could see the future?
Rogue_Genius @ Sep 30th 2008 5:11PM
Hey, if they want to show off their PNAS in public then that's what they're gonna do. Just don't expect me to be okay with it.
therpham @ Sep 30th 2008 5:19PM
Yeah, I think the easiest way for most people to read that is "Pee-Nass". The jokes pretty much write themselves.
Jon2309 @ Sep 30th 2008 7:40PM
Now I have Pepsi all over the screen. Thanks. :P
Ghen @ Sep 30th 2008 4:53PM
I can't wait to be a cyborg. Sign me up!
maty @ Sep 30th 2008 5:21PM
My uncle's friend invented the first computer that could "smell".
He went bankrupt.
Josh @ Sep 30th 2008 5:00PM
I bet Dewey Cox is on the edge of his seat.
Boarderwoot @ Sep 30th 2008 5:02PM
Something smells funny about this article...i just can't put my finger on it.
Osman @ Sep 30th 2008 5:13PM
one step closer to the smellascope :D
Stiv @ Sep 30th 2008 10:31PM
"Good news everyone."
Osman @ Oct 1st 2008 12:08AM
"we are all going to die, and by "we" I mean you."
High Ranks make you sterile @ Sep 30th 2008 5:13PM
FISH DON'T STINK!!! UNDERWATER THE FISH DON'T STINK!
phate @ Sep 30th 2008 5:22PM
'90s cartoon reference for the fail...
pickleman77 @ Sep 30th 2008 5:17PM
I smell discovery!
TrashBat @ Jan 11th 2009 7:10AM
Poor effort
collegekid13 @ Sep 30th 2008 5:18PM
sooooo . . . how close are we to smell-o-vison?
phate @ Sep 30th 2008 5:25PM
not far enough away... Can you imagine smelling a Dirty Jobs episode...
Dr. Tran @ Nov 12th 2008 6:46PM
Good news, Everyone!
Justin @ Sep 30th 2008 5:24PM
"...this discovery could unlock the potential to detect an almost infinite range of odors." That doesn't sound good.
saf100792 @ Sep 30th 2008 5:41PM
I'd rather not be able to smell everything in the world. I'm sure there's a lot of things that really stink but we can't smell it. Which is why i like the nose i got
Richard @ Sep 30th 2008 5:31PM
I insist that the picture be changed to Michael Jackson!
:-)
Hellaphunt @ Sep 30th 2008 5:54PM
iPhone 3G already does this.
"Strike me down with all of your hatred, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!"
MIchael Jackson @ Sep 30th 2008 6:38PM
Finally. I needed a new one.
Pete @ Sep 30th 2008 6:57PM
"...the fruits of MIT's RealNose project could replace drug and explosive-sniffing dogs"
As if the economy wasn't bad enough, now DOGS are losing their jobs as well.
Jon Evans @ Sep 30th 2008 6:59PM
An earlier prototype: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyxF5ETDY1U
Doug @ Oct 1st 2008 12:43AM
Holy Cow I'm totally going so fast... AHH FUXCK!
Wwhat @ Oct 1st 2008 4:36AM
I was thinking about it a few weeks back watching that terminator TV show, how come those advanced robots never have a dog-like smell to sniff humans out for termination, seemed obvious some university would come up with it to add to their arsenal.
ryan @ Oct 1st 2008 1:44PM
If Michael was able to track down little boys with his Janet nose, think about what will happen when he gets this for Christmas. Sorry little boys around the world. It's a good thing I had all girls.