Matthias Laska

Matthias Laska is a Professor at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) and the Division of Biology. He leads the Laska Group, which investigates the sensory biology of mammals, focusing on how genes, anatomy, behavior, and ecology shape species differences in sensory capabilities. His research also explores lateralized behaviors such as limb preferences in primates.

His research centers on sensory perception in mammals, particularly taste and smell. Key interests include chemoreception, dietary responses to plant secondary metabolites, olfactory mechanisms (e.g., geosmin detection via OR11A1), and cognitive aspects like reversal learning in primates. Work often involves behavioral experiments with zoo-housed primates such as spider monkeys and sakis, linking sensory biology to evolutionary and ecological contexts.

Recent publications show a strong trend in primate sensory physiology and behavior, with studies spanning taste responsiveness, olfactory receptor activation, salivary reactions, and cognitive flexibility. These works reflect an interdisciplinary approach combining biology, neuroscience, and ecology, published in journals like PeerJ, Physiology and Behavior, and Animal Cognition.

The Laska Group conducts empirical research into mammalian sensory systems, emphasizing experimental approaches to understand evolutionary adaptations in sensory perception. The team uses controlled behavioral assays and physiological measurements, primarily in non-human primates, to uncover fundamental principles of sensory processing across species.

Matthias Laska supervises research projects and contributes to undergraduate teaching at Linköping University. While specific students and grants are not listed in the provided text, his ongoing publication record and leadership of an active research group indicate sustained research activity and academic mentorship.