While scientists have known for a long time that vampire bats' noses guide them to the best spots, they didn't know how. This new research shows the key is not just TRPV1, but an evolutionary genetic variation of it that allows vampire bats to sense low-temperature heat.
Intriguingly, the same molecule is also found on pain sensing nerve fibres in humans. On our tongues, it allows us to detect the burn of spicy food. On our skin, it lets us feel the pain of touching a hot object or of a sunburn.
That's why drug companies are working on developing new pain medications that target molecules like TRPV1.
Francis
www.cbc.ca
While scientists have known for a long time that vampire bats' noses guide them to the best spots, they didn't know how. This new research shows the key is not just TRPV1, but an evolutionary genetic variation of it that allows vampire bats to sense low-temperature heat.
Intriguingly, the same molecule is also found on pain sensing nerve fibres in humans. On our tongues, it allows us to detect the burn of spicy food. On our skin, it lets us feel the pain of touching a hot object or of a sunburn.
That's why drug companies are working on developing new pain medications that target molecules like TRPV1.