Identifying patterns in insect scents using machine learning

Scents play a central role in nature, as olfactory interactions are the language of life. In a new research project of the UvA Molecular and Materials Design Technology hub, scientists will use machine learning to predict what types of olfactory molecules interact with insect olfactory receptors. This information is important to develop safe-by-design molecules that do not interfere with insect olfaction. Scents play a central role in the lives of living beings, from locating food and mates to sensing and avoiding danger. Insects use many different types of scents, such as sex, trail, alarm and aggregation pheromones, as well as plant odors to locate their host plants.