A neuron expressing a reporter gene for
a synaptic protein fused to GFP and TimeSTAMP. Proteins synthesized
from the reporter gene after the time of drug addition appear red. |
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Michael Z. Lin
M.D., Ph.D.
UCSD, CMM West 310
9500 Gilman Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92093-0647
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My research interests are in
studying molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and
learning by devising new tools that expand the kinds of
questions that can be asked. I am particularly interested in
the development of techniques that are generalizable, useful,
and robust enough for in vivo use in animals. My current work
in the Tsien lab has involved combining chemical and
biological components to create a drug-controlled label for
specific newly synthesized proteins with high sensitivity and
time resolution. We are calling this tool TimeSTAMP, for
Time-Specific Tag for the Age Measurement of Proteins. I am
applying TimeSTAMP to study the molecular mechanisms of
synaptic growth in neuronal culture and to visualize synaptic
plasticity processes in animal models of learning. I have also
developed a method for the drug-controlled co-translational
degradation of any protein of interest. In the future, these
tools may be useful for investigating neuronal recovery and
controlling gene- or cell-based therapies
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