Zinc (Zn2+) is a transition metal that is an essential cofactor for thousands of human proteins.听Most Zn2+听in cells is bound by protein, but small amounts of labile Zn2+听exist in all cellular compartments.听In certain cells, Zn2+听signals occur wherein intracellular or extracellular labile Zn2+听concentrations increase due to altered Zn2+听uptake, Zn2+听release from organelles or buffering proteins, or active Zn2+听secretion.听Some excitatory neurons in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, are known to sequester Zn2+听and exhibit Zn2+听蝉颈驳苍补濒颈苍驳.听窜苍2+听is concentrated into synaptic vesicles in these neurons and is exocytosed into the synapse upon neuronal depolarization.听Synaptic Zn2+听regulates post-synaptic glutamate receptors, after which pre- and postsynaptic cells experience a transient increase in cytosolic Zn2+. I investigate neuronal Zn2+听signaling by using microscopy to visualize and quantify Zn2+听levels and dynamics in neurons. I also use RNA-Seq to probe potential targets of Zn2+听蝉颈驳苍补濒蝉.
IQ Biology has given me opportunities and resources for collaboration and a deeper understanding of the fundamentals behind my research, especially in the areas of microscopy and sequencing.
Lynn received a BS from Pomona College and majored in Chemistry. She joined IQ Biology in her third year as a听graduate student in Dr. Amy Palmer's Lab (Biochemistry). She was听rostered in the Department of听Biochemistry and graduated in Summer 2019.
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