This podcast highlights original research published in the August 2021 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objective was to evaluate the presence of bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) in the middle ear and to examine their relationship with chronic ear infections.

In conclusion, T2Rs were found within the middle ear of every patient sampled; the rs1376251 allele of TAS2R50 appears to be related to chronic ear infections. These receptors are an intriguing target for future research and possible drug targeting.

Click here to read the full article.