Per Fumum Endowment Fund: Can you explain your olfactory implant project for people suffering from persistent anosmia in one sentence?
Claire Martin: “The goal of our project is to design an olfactory implant that enables people who have lost their sense of smell—without any hope of medical or other recovery—to regain certain olfactory sensations. To achieve this, we need to validate a prototype on animal models to demonstrate the feasibility of such an implant.”
PF EF: Why did you choose an olfactory implant as a solution for treating anosmia? How does it work?
C.M.: “We are working with an ENT doctor specializing in cochlear implants for hearing rehabilitation. The idea is to apply a similar approach to the sense of smell. However, the olfactory system is more complex than the auditory system. The main challenge is capturing odors, which requires a detector, analyzing the signal, and then transmitting it to the brain.”
PF EF: Could this implant be effective for people born without a sense of smell?
C.M.: “At this stage, we do not know if this device would be effective for them. Some people born without a sense of smell lack an olfactory bulb, which is the first area of the brain that processes odors. Additionally, for individuals who have never had a sense of smell, the restoration process could be painful, just as cochlear implants can be for people born deaf. Our current target is therefore adults who have lost their sense of smell.”
PF EF: What are the main challenges to overcome in achieving this?
C.M.: “The main challenge is related to the technology of olfactory sensors, which must be fast enough to detect and transmit an odor in real time. If the sensor takes several minutes to process an odor, the signal will no longer be relevant. We therefore need to refine our sensor so that it meets our requirements efficiently.”
PF EF: You are conducting tests on mice and sheep. Why these animal models?
C.M.: “The olfactory system of sheep and mice is very similar to that of humans. We already have extensive knowledge of their olfactory coding, allowing us to assess the feasibility of the device before considering human applications.”
PF EF: What stage are you at currently, and what are the initial test results?
C.M.: “We are in the midst of constructing our prototype. We have made progress in brain stimulation and sensor design, although the sensor is not yet optimal. Our goal for 2025 is to test the implant in real-life conditions on sheep.”
PF EF: Can you tell us about the interdisciplinary collaborations involved in this project?
C.M.: “This project relies on multiple areas of expertise: an ENT doctor, a team specialized in the olfactory mucosa and odor detection, as well as our team working on brain signals. We are also collaborating with engineers developing devices suited for brain stimulation.”
PF EF: What impact could such an advancement have for the millions of people suffering from permanent anosmia?
C.M.: “We hope to develop an implant capable of detecting certain odors and transmitting an olfactory signal. The goal is to make it as minimally invasive as possible while restoring essential functions such as detecting dangers and recognizing food. Furthermore, stimulating the olfactory system could have a positive impact on the brain, particularly in relation to conditions like depression.”
PF EF: What role does the Per Fumum Endowment Fund play in this project?
C.M.: “We initially received funding from the ANR, but some crucial steps were not covered. The support from the Per Fumum Endowment Fund allows us to refine our sensor and further develop our prototype.”
