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Zinc (Zn²⁺) is a transition metal that is an essential cofactor for thousands of human proteins.ÌýMost Zn²⁺Ìýin cells is bound by protein, but small amounts of labile Zn²⁺Ìýexist in all cellular compartments.ÌýIn certain cells, Zn²⁺Ìýsignals occur wherein intracellular or extracellular labile Zn²⁺Ìýconcentrations increase due to altered Zn²⁺Ìýuptake, Zn²⁺Ìýrelease from organelles or buffering proteins, or active Zn²⁺Ìýsecretion.ÌýSome excitatory neurons in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, are known to sequester Zn²⁺Ìýand exhibit Zn²⁺Ìý²õ¾±²µ²Ô²¹±ô¾±²Ô²µ.Ìý´Ü²Ô²⁺Ìýis concentrated into synaptic vesicles in these neurons and is exocytosed into the synapse upon neuronal depolarization.ÌýSynaptic Zn²⁺Ìýregulates post-synaptic glutamate receptors, after which pre- and postsynaptic cells experience a transient increase in cytosolic Zn²⁺. I investigate neuronal Zn²⁺Ìýsignaling by using microscopy to visualize and quantify Zn²⁺Ìýlevels and dynamics in neurons. I also use RNA-Seq to probe potential targets of Zn²⁺Ìý²õ¾±²µ²Ô²¹±ô²õ.

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 aÌýgraduate student in Dr. Amy Palmer's Lab (Biochemistry). She wasÌýrostered in the Department ofÌýBiochemistry and graduated in Summer 2019.

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