Lipids and Vesicular Fusion (The Doorway to My Future)

Authors

Brady Atwood, Brigham Young University
Dr. Dixon J. Woodbury, Brigham Young University

Keywords

lipids, vesicular fusion, intracellular substances, cellular membrane

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Exocytosis is the process by which a cell excretes intracellular substances into an extracellular space. Cells perform this by storing these substances in lipid membrane enclosed spheres called vesicles. These vesicles are brought to the inside surface of the cellular membrane where they are docked and primed for release upon the appropriate signal. When the signal occurs the vesicles fuse to the membrane releasing the stored material into the space around the cell. This is especially relevant in neuroscience as this is the process by which neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft which then go on to stimulate/inhibit another neuron. Many labs are attempting to understand the exact process by which exocytosis occurs. What proteins mediate the fusion? Is it a full fusion or a partial fusion? The Woodbury lab is interested in the minimum machinery (proteins) necessary for the fusion to occur.

Recommended Citation

Atwood, Brady and Woodbury, Dr. Dixon J. (2013) "Lipids and Vesicular Fusion (The Doorway to My Future)," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1420.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1420