Elizabeth Akin
About Elizabeth Akin
Elizabeth Akin is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Yale University, specializing in cell biology and molecular imaging techniques. She developed the OPAL imaging method to study the transport of proteins in neurons and focuses on the Nav1.7 sodium channel's role in pain transmission.
Work at Yale University
Elizabeth Akin has been a Postdoctoral Researcher at Yale University since 2016. In this role, she conducts advanced research in the field of cell biology, focusing on the Nav1.7 sodium channel, which plays a significant role in pain transmission. Her work involves utilizing innovative techniques to explore the behavior of sodium channels in sensory neurons.
Education and Expertise
Elizabeth Akin earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology from Colorado State University, where she studied from 2009 to 2015. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Biology at Siena College from 2004 to 2008. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her research in cellular mechanisms and molecular biology.
Research Contributions
Akin developed a novel imaging technique known as optical pulse-chase axonal long-distance (OPAL) imaging. This technique enables the visualization of long-distance axonal transport of low-abundance proteins with single-molecule resolution. Her research also includes the use of fluorescently-tagged Nav1.7 channels to investigate their behavior in dorsal root ganglion neurons.
Focus on Pain Transmission
Elizabeth Akin's research primarily focuses on the cell biology of the Nav1.7 sodium channel. This channel is critical for pain transmission, and her work involves studying its function in cultured sensory neurons. Through her research, she aims to contribute to the understanding of pain mechanisms at the cellular level.