
Polygence Scholar2025

Lillian Martin
Class of 2026Seattle, WA
About
Projects
- "Butyrate and its Impacts on Serotonin Production and Depression" with mentor Courtney (Working project)
Project Portfolio
Butyrate and its Impacts on Serotonin Production and Depression
Started Mar. 10, 2025
Abstract or project description
Lillian and I will be working on a review article that focuses on the impact of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) on Depression. Specifically, we will be working to understand how the SCFA Butyrate impacts the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. As serotonin is strongly linked to depression, we will make the case that changes in butyrate can impact depression and describe the mechanisms for how this happens. We will then discuss how we may be able to manipulate butyrate as a potential treatment for depression.