Lauren Barr Buhl, 2006-

B.A. in Biochemistry -  Univ. of Pennsylvania

M.B. in Biotechnology - Univ. of Pennsylvania

Lauren is an M.D./Ph.D student studying the role of Complexin in synaptic vesicle fusion. Complexin is emerging as a protein with multiple domains regulating the probability of both evoked and spontaneous vesicle fusion events at the presynaptic terminal. In mammalian systems there is substantial evidence that Complexin acts to facilitate synaptic vesicle fusion. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, however, it appears to be required to block spontaneous vesicle fusion events, termed “minis,” that occur independent of an incoming action potential. This apparent controversy may suggest that Complexin has individual domains acting to facilitate or inhibit vesicle fusion at various steps in the process. Lauren’s work is focused on the C-terminal domain of Complexin, the structure and function of which remain largely unknown. Alternative splicing of the single complexin gene in Drosophila generates at least two isoforms that differ in sequence at the C-terminus. Additionally, post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications within the C-terminus may modulate Complexin function. Lauren is working to characterize the roles of these isoforms and modifications in regulating both neurotransmitter release and synaptic growth in an attempt to clarify the function of the C-terminus of Complexin.