Human interaction is controlled by how we perceive each other. Smells play a subtle but significant role in this because they provide the background against which we interpret other sensory stimuli. In this symposium, we will clarify the social aspects of chemosensory perception: How are body odors perceived? How do body odors transport familiarity and closeness? And how are body odors in various states emitted? The aim of the symposium is thus to trace the sender-receiver chemosensory interaction.

Our symposium will highlight recent advances in our understanding of how chemosensory information is decoded and processed by higher brain centers in the fly. The invited speakers will cover taste, olfaction, as well as thermosensation, and how these sensory inputs are integrated in the fly brain to yield appropriate behavioral responses. All invited speakers are leaders in their respective fields, and each have their own approach to tackle the central question of how sensory input is translated to behavioral output.