A fundamental, unresolved problem in olfactory research is the identification of multicellular pathways involved in coding odors and how ensembles of neurons are activated by specific odors at different levels of the olfactory system. Using a new, novel technique from molecular cell biology, the c-fos gene expression technique is being used as a marker in spiney lobster olfactory system in conjunction with intracellular identification. The question of how pattern discriminations are formed is being addressed at both the receptor cell level and in the central olfactory system as well. These studies expand the current research technical expertise of this minority neuroscientist, via collaborative efforts, into new and novel methodologies in molecular neurobiology.
