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This update enriches the database content, introduces a dedicated module for browsing and comparing experimental response data, and refines the online molecular docking interface for clearer result interpretation. Furthermore, we have added method‑specific guidelines on threshold selection and the valid scope of docking predictions, helping users better assess the confidence of their virtual screening outcomes.

By leveraging transfer learning, we effectively bridge the gap between high‑throughput virtual screening and limited experimental validation. This approach enhances the predictive power of deep learning models, enabling more accurate functional annotations of orphan insect olfactory receptors. The methodology and benchmark results are now available on bioRxiv (DOI: 10.64898/2026.07.03.736362).

This work overcomes the limitations of traditional phylogenetic approaches by applying a protein similarity network‑based strategy and a novel “trunk‑branch” framework. It reveals that the EL2 β‑sheet of Orco reduces ligand‑binding affinity, and establishes robust associations between olfactory breadth and ecological variables such as diet, habitat, and circadian rhythm. The findings provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex adaptive relationship between insect olfactory potential and diverse environments. The paper is published in eLife (DOI: 10.7554/eLife.110877.1).

This major upgrade removes the less‑used OdorSeek module while comprehensively enhancing all remaining modules. The iGene module offers gene annotation tools specifically for iORs, and iMDanalysis provides a platform for molecular dynamics simulation analysis. The upgraded iDock now allows arbitrary iOR and small‑molecule uploading, and the DockingSets module offers statistical strategies for interpreting positive hits. Together, these enhancements cover the entire iOR research pipeline from sequence annotation to functional analysis.

This study resolves the long‑standing question of optimal subunit composition in insect odorant receptor channels. By constructing and simulating all possible heterotetrameric arrangements in a membrane environment, the authors demonstrate that the 1OR:3Orco ratio exhibits superior thermal stability and strongest inter‑subunit interactions. They further reveal two distinct activation modes — symmetric‑like and asymmetric — and pinpoint key residues in the binding pocket and pore‑forming helix that govern ligand recognition and ion conduction. These findings offer valuable structural insights for biomimetic sensor design and insect behaviour modulation. The paper is available in Communications Biology (DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-08572-0).