Daniel C. Oppenheimer ’06 Summer Research Award goes to

Ms. Allison N. Light

The research I am currently working on with Dr. Eugene Delay investigates the receptors and transduction pathways involved in the detection of L-amino acids. The reason behind this project idea is to see how other L-amino acids compare to L-glutamate, which has been the focus of much research since it is a component in MSG (monosodium glutamate) used to enrich the flavor of foods. I will be working with taste sensory cells from mice and using calcium imaging to see if the L-amino acids exhibit characteristics similar to that of L-glutamate or if they are unique in their detection. If responses from the L-amino acids continually vary, this supports that there are multiple receptors, whereas responses that are consistent for each L-amino acid tested suggests a single receptor. Likewise, the use of inhibitors will help to assess transduction pathways that may be involved. If an inhibitor eliminates a response, we can conclude that the particular pathway being inhibited plays a role in taste detection.

Ms Allison Light is a Junior and she’s majoring in Biology. She’s interested in attending Graduate School to help in the establishment of her career goals.

The fund was established by Cindy and Randy Oppenheimer to honor their son Daniel’s graduation from the University of Vermont. The fund provides grants to undergraduate students to conduct summer research in the Biology Department.

Congratulations on an outstanding proposal!