Yishi Jin, Ph.D.

Dr. Jin has dedicated her career to understanding neuronal synapse development, maintenance, and regrowth. Her lab has developed an innovative imaging technique to observe synaptic remodeling and has characterized multiple synaptic proteins and discovered synaptic gene regulatory events. Intracellular protein structures called microtubules play an active role in synapse formation, and in this project, Dr. Jin will use in vivo imaging to characterize novel microtubule proteins. She will also study synaptic maintenance at the nematode neuromuscular junction, including how neuronal activity regulates the phagocytotic control of synapse numbers.