George Preti
Encyclopedia
Dr. George Preti is an analytical organic chemist currently working at the Monell Chemical Senses Center
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more than four decades, his research has focused upon the nature, origin and functional significance of human odors. Dr. Preti's laboratory has identified characteristic underarm odorants, and his current studies center upon a bioassay-guided approach to the identification of human pheromones, odors diagnostic of human disease, human malodor identification and suppression and examining the “odor-print” of humans.
, New York. He received his B.S. in Chemistry
from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1966, and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1971 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, with a specialty in Organic Mass Spectrometry in the laboratory of Professor Klaus Biemann
. That same year he joined the Monell Center. Dr. Preti is also currently an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Dermatology of the University of Pennsylvania
School of Medicine.
and the use of odors in disease diagnosis. His unique area of research has resulted in hundreds of clinician-directed referrals of patients with idiopathic body and oral malodor production problems. His efforts in this area have revealed a large, undiagnosed population of people suffering from trimethylaminuria
(TMAU), an odor-producing genetic disorder.
Dr. Preti’s work has frequently been cited in print and electronic media, including the New York Times magazine section, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and ABC’s “Primetime: Medical Mysteries”.
Monell Chemical Senses Center
The Monell Chemical Senses Center is a non-profit independent scientific institute located at the University City Science Center research campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more than four decades, his research has focused upon the nature, origin and functional significance of human odors. Dr. Preti's laboratory has identified characteristic underarm odorants, and his current studies center upon a bioassay-guided approach to the identification of human pheromones, odors diagnostic of human disease, human malodor identification and suppression and examining the “odor-print” of humans.
Background
George Preti was born and raised in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York. He received his B.S. in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1966, and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1971 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, with a specialty in Organic Mass Spectrometry in the laboratory of Professor Klaus Biemann
Klaus Biemann
Klaus Biemann is a Professor Emeritus of chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His work was centered on structural analysis in organic and biochemistry...
. That same year he joined the Monell Center. Dr. Preti is also currently an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Dermatology of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
School of Medicine.
Research
In addition to dozens of peer-reviewed research articles, Dr. Preti holds more than a dozen patents related to deodorance, odor mediated control of the menstrual cycleMenstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the scientific term for the physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle....
and the use of odors in disease diagnosis. His unique area of research has resulted in hundreds of clinician-directed referrals of patients with idiopathic body and oral malodor production problems. His efforts in this area have revealed a large, undiagnosed population of people suffering from trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria , also known as fish odor syndrome or fish malodor syndrome, is a rare metabolic disorder that causes a defect in the normal production of the enzyme Flavin containing monooxygenase 3...
(TMAU), an odor-producing genetic disorder.
Dr. Preti’s work has frequently been cited in print and electronic media, including the New York Times magazine section, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and ABC’s “Primetime: Medical Mysteries”.
Select publications
- Johnson, A. T. C.; Kahmis, S. M.; Preti, G.; Kwak, J. and Gelperin, A. (2010) “DNA-coated nanosensors for breath analysis.” IEEE Sensor Journal. 10, 159-66.
- Kwak, J.; Willse, A.; Preti, G.; Yamazaki, K. and Beauchamp, G. K. (2010) “In search of the chemical basis for MHC odourtypes.” Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 277, 2417-25.
- Preti, G. and Leyden, J. J. (2010) “Genetic influences on human body odor: From genes to the axillae.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 130, 344-46.
- Wysocki, C. J. and Preti, G. (2010) “Human pheromones: What’s purported, what’s supported.” A Sense of Smell Institute White Paper. The Fragrance Foundation: New York.
- Kwak, J.; Curran-Opiekun, M.; Matsumura, K.; Preti, G.; Yamazaki, K. and Beauchamp, G. K. (2009) “Major histocompatibility complex-regulated odortypes: Peptide-free urinary volatile signals.” Physiology & Behavior. 96, 184-88.
- Miyazawa, T.; Gallagher, M.; Preti, G. and Wise, P. M. (2009) “Odor detection of mixtures of homologous carboxylic acids and coffee aroma compounds by humans.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 57, 9895-901.
- Miyazawa, T.; Gallagher, M.; Preti, G. and Wise, P. M. (2009) “Psychometric functions for ternary odor mixtures and their unmixed components.” Chemical Senses. 34, 753-61.
- Miyazawa, T.; Gallagher, M.; Preti, G. and Wise, P. M. (2009) “Methodological factors in odor detection by humans.” Chemosensory Perception. 2, 195-202.