Interestingly, the expression of functional olfactory receptors, an important subclass of G-protein coupled receptors in tissue culture has proven difficult.
As a result, the premier genetic model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, is now gaining acceptance in olfactory research.
Recent (well, last year) research finally allows us to say with certainty that while time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like bananas.
SN-GC is the method employed: single neuron electrophysiogical recordings from living flies as detectors for gas chromatography columns.
This allowed the establishment of a preference for (more neuronal firing) odors from rotting fruit, and yes in particular from bananas.
Human olfactory receptors have been expressed in C. elegans, so it seems likely that the functional expression of human olfactory receptors could be achieved in antennal drosophila neurons.
If this can be shown, it would plausible that with some effort the full array of human olfactory receptors would be expressed in drosophila.
If not in D. melanogaster, another method will eventually be found for functional expression of hORs, and then the full complement of ligands for each receptor can be defined.
If flies are used, an updated descendant of the SN-GC technique could be used.
The matrix of hOR response to a particular mixture of odorants (e.g. a perfume) could then be used to define odors in support of patents and trademarks.
Confirmation that time's fun when you're having flies awaits further work.
Articles I couldn't shoehorn in above.
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