Xia Li
Encyclopedia
Xia Li is a scientist based at the Monell Chemical Senses Center
in Philadelphia. She is known for her work on feline sensory studies, including groundbreaking research as to why cat
s cannot taste
sweets. She, along with her collaborator Dr. Joseph Brand
, concluded that modern cats have lost function in an obsolete taste receptor
, removing the ability taste sweets, unlike their prehistoric ancestors. Her accomplishments were featured in the inaugural issue of PLoS Genetics
and in the December 2005 issue of Catnip Magazine.
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. She is known for her work on feline sensory studies, including groundbreaking research as to why cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
s cannot taste
Taste
Taste is one of the traditional five senses. It refers to the ability to detect the flavor of substances such as food, certain minerals, and poisons, etc....
sweets. She, along with her collaborator Dr. Joseph Brand
Joseph Brand
Dr. Joseph G. Brand is a biologist currently at Monell Chemical Senses Center. In 1985, Dr. Brand discovered that the substance amiloride is an inhibitor of sodium when present in the epithelia of rats. Subsequently in 2005, Dr. Brand and Dr. Xia Li discovered that cats did not have a functioning...
, concluded that modern cats have lost function in an obsolete taste receptor
Taste receptor
A Taste receptor is a type of receptor which facilitates the sensation of taste.Examples include TAS2R16 and TAS2R38.They are divided into two families:* Type 1, sweet, first characterized in 2001: –...
, removing the ability taste sweets, unlike their prehistoric ancestors. Her accomplishments were featured in the inaugural issue of PLoS Genetics
PLoS Genetics
PLoS Genetics is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that reflects the interdisciplinary nature of genetics and genomics research by publishing contributions in all areas of biology. The journal is indexed in PubMed Central, PubMed, and ISI Web of Knowledge, and was originally created by Wayne...
and in the December 2005 issue of Catnip Magazine.