Mentor:  Erik Schwiebert, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Institution: 
Entered CMPh Program:  Fall 2004
Phone: 205.934.6235
Email:  nailin@uab.edu

RESEARCH INTEREST

ATP release is an important signal for autocrine and paracrine as a kind of natural defense for cellular damage or inflammation in epithelium and neuron system. Extracellular ATP regulates cellular activity through purinergic receptors. Our laboratory has identified P2X4 purinergic receptor channel is also the receptor for the cytoprotective biometal zinc. Focus in our laboratory on this receptor has made us re-examine ATP release, zinc release, and the inter-relationship between these two pathways. Currently, I’m examining vesicular and transport mechanisms for ATP and zinc in airway epithelia to understand how both co-ligands can be presented to the extracellular zinc and ATP-gated P2X receptors.

About Nai-Lin:

MCLM 742
1918 University Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35233