Dr. Hiroaki Matsunami

Biography

Hiroaki Matsunami is the Minnie Geller Distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke University. He specializes in the molecular mechanisms underlying chemosensation, particularly in taste and smell. His research focuses on how receptors detect various chemical stimuli, including odorants and tastants, primarily through G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Matsunami's work addresses several critical questions in chemosensory neurobiology, such as how sensory cells encode information for the brain and how they produce appropriate behavioral responses. He employs molecular biology and genomic information to explore the interactions between tastants and receptors in taste buds. His group has studied variations in taste sensitivity in humans and mice, mapping genetic loci for bitter and sweet taste sensitivities. In olfaction, Matsunami investigates how olfactory sensory neurons detect odorants and converge in the olfactory bulb to relay signals to the brain. He is also interested in the pheromone sensing system and its effects on behavior. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. from Kyoto University and a series of appointments, advancing from Assistant Professor to Professor at Duke.

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