Didier TROTIER
Didier TROTIER, is a researcher at the CNRS (NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH). He works since 1983 on the sense of smell, particularly with electrical physiology methods. By intracellular recordings of the olfactory receiving neurones of salamander, he was a pioneer in the understanding of biophysics mechanisms involved during the activation of these cells by the nice-smelling molecules. He was also the first one to apply the techniques of recording of patch-clamp to these cells (1986 ) to specify these mechanisms.
In the 90s he was interested in the vomeronasal organ, an essential organ for the detection of pheromones of animals for whom the cellular properties were unknown, and published a series of works. Among his works he found, in association with Kjell Doving of the University of Oslo, the original manuscripts (in Gothic Danish) of Ludvig Jacobson, the discoverer of the organ vomeronasal in 1813, and allow an English translation in order to rehabilitate this outstanding observer.
In 2000 he realized a study showing that human vomeronasal organ is not fonctional. Then he realized works for a better comprehension of the composition of the mucus which recovers the human olfactive epithelium. Most of its works were realized through numerous collaborations.
More recently he focused on the biomolecular mechanisms of the gustative perception. Thanks to the support of "Fondation de l’Avenir" (the Foundation of the Future) and the "Fondation des gueules cassées" (Foundation of the War veterans with severe facial injuries), he also has developed techniques EEG to examine patients affected by diverse disorders of the sense of smell within the unity ENT of the hospital Lariboisière (Paris ).
He is also particularly involved in the dissemination of his knowledge (radio, television, exhibitions, bar of the Sciences, Open days, articles of popularization etc.).
He made numerous professional and personal stays in Japan (invitations at congresses, seminaries, scientific cooperation, Schedule Human Frontier; Universities of Tsukuba, Tokyo, Kyoto, Sapporo). During these stays he became aware of differences of culture and mentalities (relations to other people, to objects and environment). His experience should be useful within the framework of this project.