Iris D. Zelnik
Papers
1
Total Citations
15
H-Index
1
About
Iris D. Zelnik is a leading biochemist whose research illuminates the intricate metabolism of sphingolipids—critical components of cell membranes and signaling. Her work focuses on the biosynthetic pathways that generate structural diversity in these lipids, particularly the distinction between long-chain and very-long-chain species. In her highly cited 2020 study (15 citations), Zelnik demonstrated that flux through the biosynthetic pathway differs for long-chain versus very-long-chain sphingolipids, revealing that the backbone sphingoid long-chain base and its N-acylated fatty acid are not produced uniformly. This finding has profound implications for understanding how ceramides with varying chain lengths and saturation levels influence cellular function and disease. By mapping these differential rates, Zelnik has provided a mechanistic framework for how cells regulate lipid complexity, directly impacting research on metabolic disorders, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Her work is essential reading for anyone studying lipid biology, membrane dynamics, or the molecular underpinnings of sphingolipid-related pathologies.
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Top Papers
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