Lynn Sanford

Zinc (Zn²⁺) is a transition metal that is an essential cofactor for thousands of human proteins. Most Zn²⁺ in cells is bound by protein, but small amounts of labile Zn²⁺ exist in all cellular compartments. In certain cells, Zn²⁺ signals occur wherein intracellular or extracellular labile Zn²⁺ concentrations increase due to altered Zn²⁺ uptake, Zn²⁺ release from organelles or buffering proteins, or active Zn²⁺ secretion. Some excitatory neurons in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, are known to sequester Zn²⁺ and exhibit Zn²⁺ signaling. Zn²⁺ is concentrated into synaptic vesicles in these neurons and is exocytosed into the synapse upon neuronal depolarization. Synaptic Zn²⁺ regulates post-synaptic glutamate receptors, after which pre- and postsynaptic cells experience a transient increase in cytosolic Zn²⁺. I investigate neuronal Zn²⁺ signaling by using microscopy to visualize and quantify Zn²⁺ levels and dynamics in neurons. I also use RNA-Seq to probe potential targets of Zn²⁺ signals.

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 graduate student in Dr. Amy Palmer's Lab (Biochemistry). She was rostered in the Department of Biochemistry and graduated in Summer 2019.