Professor Teiichi Tanimura is a founding father of the Neurogenetics of Drosophila chemoreception and gustatory behavior, and has been widely recognized for his contributions to these areas of research. The beautiful yet simple taste-choice paradigm devised early in his career demonstrates his creativity and ingenuity, offering a simple but clear cut measure to determine taste perception and preference. This widely applied paradigm has led to the resolution of taste compounds, receptors, and neuro-circuitry underlying gustatory behavior. Many of his ingenious experimental designs, some of which were published in the Journal of Neurogenetics, have generated mutations and identified genes that affect neuromuscular function and degeneration in the chemosensory pathways. 

Despite his monumental impact, Professor Tanimura is a humble scholar with a mild manner whose work is perhaps under-appreciated. Since he has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Neurogenetics since the early 90s, we have chosen to promote his work here by establishing this Special Feature which highlights his publications in the Journal of Neurogenetics.