UF Florida Chemical Senses Institute

Love blueberries and strawberries? 🫐🍓 So does the invasive spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), a pest causing $500M in damage annually.

But research from the Wong Lab is fighting back with a surprising weapon: smells! 👃 Researcher Zhangrong Song is decoding the "invisible language" of microbes to create eco-friendly ways to trap and repel these pests without heavy pesticides.

Read the full story: https://fcs.institute.ufl.edu/what-is-the-scent-of-control-how-microbial-signals-could-tame-an-agricultural-pest/

We are delighted to welcome our newest member to the Florida Chemical Senses Institute, Dr. Andre Luis Costa-da-Silva!

Dr. Costa-da-Silva joins us from Florida International University, where he serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. We are excited to collaborate with him and look forward to the expertise he brings to our community.

Welcome to the FCSI, Dr. Costa-da-Silva!

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! 🧠

While we often associate brain injuries with memory or mobility challenges, they can also affect our senses in surprising ways. An often-overlooked consequence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the loss or alteration of smell (anosmia/hyposmia) and taste (ageusia/dysgeusia).

Because the olfactory nerves are delicate and located near the front of the brain, they are particularly vulnerable during impact. These sensory changes can significantly impact nutrition, safety, and overall quality of life.

This month, we are raising awareness for the hidden symptoms of brain injury and the importance of sensory health in recovery.

What if we told you that the flavor of wine isn't actually in the glass? It's created entirely by your brain. 🧠🍷

This fascinating field is called Neuroenology. It explains that flavor is a multisensory illusion. When you taste wine, your brain combines signals from all your senses: the sight of its color, its aroma, the feel of the liquid in your mouth, and the basic tastes on your tongue.

The real secret, however, is "retronasal smell" aka aromas that travel from your mouth to your nose as you exhale. Your brain cleverly projects this smell sensation into your mouth, making you perceive it as "taste."

This complex process is so intricate that tasting wine may engage more of your brain than any other human behavior. It's a reminder that perception is an active, creative process, blending science, and experience in every sip.

Shepherd, G.M. Neuroenology: how the brain creates the taste of wine. Flavour 4, 19 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13411-014-0030-9

Imagine not being able to smell a gas leak, spoiled food, or even your morning coffee. For many, this is a reality. Today, February 27, is , a day dedicated to the loss of smell.

Anosmia is more than just a missing sense; it significantly impacts safety, nutrition, and emotional well-being, often leading to feelings of isolation. At the Florida Chemical Senses Institute (FCSI), our research is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of our chemical senses to better understand conditions like this.

If you or someone you know is affected, there is expert help available. We are proud to partner with the UF Health Smell Disorders Program, which provides dedicated medical care for patients.

Join us in raising awareness by sharing this post. Your sense of smell is vital, and for those who have lost it, understanding and support are crucial.

For more information about the UF Health Smell Disorders program, visit www.smellclinic.fcs.institute.ufl.edu

To learn more about the chemical senses, visit our website at www.fcs.institute.ufl.edu

Ever wonder what a fish tastes like to a penguin? 🐧 Most likely, it just tastes salty. While humans enjoy five types of taste, a 2015 study found that penguins have lost the ability to detect sweet, bitter, and savory flavors.

Researchers believe this happened millions of years ago as penguins evolved in the frigid Antarctic. The specific protein that registers sweet, bitter, and savory tastes does not function well in extreme cold, so it may have disappeared. This, combined with their habit of swallowing food whole, suggests that for a penguin, taste perception is not very important.

www.fcs.institute.ufl.edu
www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/penguins-taste-salty-sour

A major congratulations to FCSI member Sarah Sniffen, who has won the 1st place prize in the 2026 Luttge Awards for her outstanding graduate research project, "Neural circuit mechanisms directing emotional responses to odors."

The Luttge Award, which serves as a memorial tribute to the late William G. "Bill" Luttge, former department chair and the first director of the UF MBI, recognizes exceptional work in neuroscience. Great job, Sarah!

Giving back. 🐊💙

Stand Up & Holler is more than a day of giving. It’s a celebration of what we can achieve together. On February 19, 2026, Gators from every corner of the globe will rally to champion a shared mission: supporting the University of Florida as it tackles grand challenges and shapes a brighter future for our state, nation, and world.

The Gator Nation® is everywhere, and when we unite, we’re unstoppable. Your gift, combined with the collective strength of our global community, will spark discovery, fuel innovation and open doors to new opportunities across UF.

Let’s show the world what it means to Stand Up & Holler. Together, we make a difference.

Giving to the FCSI: https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/007741-florida-chemical-sense-institute-fcsi/

Check our bio for more info.

February 20th is the deadline for the regular registration rate and the hotel group rate for the International Flavor Summit (Mar 16–18 | Orlando, FL).

Swipe to see who you will meet!

Register + agenda: conference.ifas.ufl.edu/flavorsummit

The countdown begins!🐊💙

Stand Up & Holler is more than a day of giving. It’s a celebration of what we can achieve together. On February 19, 2026, Gators from every corner of the globe will rally to champion a shared mission: supporting the University of Florida as it tackles grand challenges and shapes a brighter future for our state, nation, and world.

The Gator Nation® is everywhere, and when we unite, we’re unstoppable. Your gift, combined with the collective strength of our global community, will spark discovery, fuel innovation and open doors to new opportunities across UF.

Let’s show the world what it means to Stand Up & Holler. Together, we make a difference.

Giving to the FCSI: https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/007741-florida-chemical-sense-institute-fcsi/

Check our bio for more info.

Happy Valentines Day from the FCSI! 💗