Tatjana Abaffy | Scholars@Duke

Tatjana Abaffy
Assistant Research Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Our studies focus on the mechanisms of chemo-sensation, especially the function of olfactory receptors and their interaction with the ligand. We are also interested in the olfactory receptor's function outside the olfactory system, and in particular, their role in various human pathologies. The key questions are which agonists/metabolites activate these ectopic receptors, what types of non-neuronal responses are evoked by their activation, and how we can design novel agonists and antagonists. Future projects will also aim at a better understanding of olfactory receptor regulation by sex-steroid hormones.

Current Research Interests

olfactory receptor-ligand interaction
sex-steroid hormones and olfaction
ectopic olfactory receptors

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Assistant Research Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments 2016
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers 2016

Contact Information

254A CARL Bldg, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710
tatjana.abaffy@duke.edu (919) 668-3622

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of Auckland (New Zealand) 2000
Research
Selected Grants
- Enhancing olfactory receptor expression for biochemical studies of odorant-receptor interactions awarded by National Institutes of Health 2022 - 2027
- Biogenesis of olfactory G protein-coupled receptors awarded by National Institutes of Health 2017 - 2023
- Copper Homeostasis in Mammals awarded by National Institutes of Health 2004 - 2023
- Peripheral Odor Coding in Mammals awarded by National Institutes of Health 2015 - 2021
- Olfactory moding in mammals awarded by University of Pennsylvania 2015 - 2020
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “Sex steroid hormone synthesis, metabolism, and the effects on the mammalian olfactory system.” Cell Tissue Res, vol. 391, no. 1, Jan. 2023, pp. 19–42. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s00441-022-03707-9.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, and Hiroaki Matsunami. “19-hydroxy Steroids in the Aromatase Reaction: Review on Expression and Potential Functions.” J Endocr Soc, vol. 5, no. 7, July 2021, p. bvab050. Pubmed, doi:10.1210/jendso/bvab050.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “A Testosterone Metabolite 19-Hydroxyandrostenedione Induces Neuroendocrine Trans-Differentiation of Prostate Cancer Cells via an Ectopic Olfactory Receptor.” Front Oncol, vol. 8, 2018, p. 162. Pubmed, doi:10.3389/fonc.2018.00162.
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  - Bavan, Selvan, et al. “Discovery of novel ligands for mouse olfactory receptor MOR42-3 using an in silico screening approach and in vitro validation.” Plos One, vol. 9, no. 3, 2014, p. e92064. Pubmed, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092064.
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  - Jiang, Ruifen, et al. “A non-invasive method for in vivo skin volatile compounds sampling.” Anal Chim Acta, vol. 804, Dec. 2013, pp. 111–19. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.aca.2013.09.056.
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  - Abaffy, T., et al. “Comparative analysis of volatile metabolomics signals from melanoma and benign skin: a pilot study.” Metabolomics, vol. 9, no. 5, 2013, pp. 998–1008. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s11306-013-0523-z.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, and Anthony R. Defazio. “The location of olfactory receptors within olfactory epithelium is independent of odorant volatility and solubility.” Bmc Res Notes, vol. 4, May 2011, p. 137. Pubmed, doi:10.1186/1756-0500-4-137.
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  - Defazio, R. Anthony, et al. “A protocol for characterizing the impact of collateral flow after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion.” Transl Stroke Res, vol. 2, no. 1, Mar. 2011, pp. 112–27. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s12975-010-0044-2.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “A case report - Volatile metabolomic signature of malignant melanoma using matching skin as a control.” J Cancer Sci Ther, vol. 3, no. 6, 2011, pp. 140–44. Pubmed, doi:10.4172/1948-5956.1000076.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “Differential volatile signatures from skin, naevi and melanoma: a novel approach to detect a pathological process.” Plos One, vol. 5, no. 11, Nov. 2010, p. e13813. Pubmed, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013813.
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  - Menashe, Idan, et al. “Genetic elucidation of human hyperosmia to isovaleric acid.” Plos Biol, vol. 5, no. 11, Oct. 2007, p. e284. Pubmed, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0050284.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “The molecular basis for ligand specificity in a mouse olfactory receptor: a network of functionally important residues.” J Biol Chem, vol. 282, no. 2, Jan. 2007, pp. 1216–24. Pubmed, doi:10.1074/jbc.M609355200.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “Functional analysis of a mammalian odorant receptor subfamily.” J Neurochem, vol. 97, no. 5, June 2006, pp. 1506–18. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03859.x.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, and Garth J. S. Cooper. “GSK3 involvement in amylin signaling in isolated rat soleus muscle.” Peptides, vol. 25, no. 12, Dec. 2004, pp. 2119–25. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2004.08.016.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “Adenylyl cyclase expression and modulation of cAMP in rat taste cells.” Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, vol. 284, no. 6, June 2003, pp. C1420–28. Pubmed, doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00556.2002.
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  - Topic, E., et al. “Troponin T and serum enzymes in monitoring open heart surgery.” Acta Clinica Croatica, vol. 33, no. 1–2, Jan. 1994, pp. 77–85.
- Conference Papers
  - Liang, T. C., et al. “Securing Biochemical Samples Using Molecular Barcoding on Digital Microfluidic Biochips*.” Biocas 2021 Ieee Biomedical Circuits and Systems Conference, Proceedings, 2021. Scopus, doi:10.1109/BioCAS49922.2021.9644945.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “Discovery of endogenous ligands and the function of OR51E2 in prostate cancer.” Chemical Senses, vol. 45, no. 2, 2020, pp. 130–130.
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  - Rahman, Suhaila, et al. “Metabolites as preferred ligands for the human olfactory receptors outside "the olfactory box".” Chemical Senses, vol. 40, no. 7, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2015, pp. 655–56.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, et al. “A tale of odorant and receptor: finding the best conformation.” Chemical Senses, vol. 40, no. 3, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2015, pp. 219–219.
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  - Abaffy, T., et al. “P46 The volatile fingerprint of melanoma.” European Journal of Cancer Supplements, vol. 7, no. 4, Elsevier BV, 2009, pp. 34–34. Crossref, doi:10.1016/s1359-6349(09)72221-9.
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  - Luetje, Charles W., et al. “Exploring the Interaction Between Odorants and Odorant Receptors Using Functional and Computational Methods.” Chemical Senses, vol. 34, no. 7, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2009, pp. A12–13.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, and Anthony DeFazio. “Odotopic Properties of Odorants and the Expression Pattern of Olfactory Receptors.” Chemical Senses, vol. 34, no. 3, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2009, pp. E2–3.
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  - Abaffy, Tatjana, and Richard A. DeFazio. “Is there Functionality to the Spatial Distribution of Olfactory Receptors within Dorsal Zone of Olfactory Epithelium?” Chemical Senses, vol. 33, no. 8, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2008, pp. S151–S151.
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  - Abaffy, T., et al. “Functional analysis of the mouse odorant receptor MOR42 subfamily.” Chemical Senses, vol. 31, no. 5, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2006, pp. A96–97.
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  - Abaffy, T., and N. Chaudhari. “Adenylyl cyclases and cAMP modulation in taste buds.” Molecular Biology of the Cell, vol. 12, AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY, 2001, pp. 245A-245A.
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Teaching & Mentoring
Advising & Mentoring
Available to mentor:
- PhD
- Undergraduate

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Conference Papers

Advising & Mentoring

Available to mentor: