Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics - Ph.D. / Sc.D.
Recent Submissions
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Development of novel tools for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment using intra- or inter-species transcriptome metaanalysis
(Bilkent University, 2017-09)In the past decades, a considerable number of studies have performed meta-analysis on large data collections to prioritize sets of genes, pathways or types/categories of disease focusing on either differential expression, ... -
Investigation of novel RNAi and nanoparticle approaches for their anti-proliferative and drug-sensitizing effects in breast cancer
(Bilkent University, 2017-08)Drug resistivity remains a major challenge in treating different cancer types. Among several strategies adapted to increase drug sensitivity in breast cancer cells, in the present thesis I studied an RNAi molecule targeting ... -
The role of IRE1 in metaflammation and atherosclerosis
(Bilkent University, 2017-06)Chronic metabolic overloading of anabolic and catabolic organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria is a major cause of inflammation in obesity. ER serves as a critical metabolic center for protein, ... -
Role of histone variant H3.3 in transcription and mitotic progression
(Bilkent University, 2017-05)Chromatin structure needs to be dynamic and flexible in order for the eukaryotic cellular processes to function correctly. Incorporation of histone variants into chromatin serves to increase epigenetic plasticity by ... -
Immunotherapeutic action of extracellular vesicles and effects of TLR signaling to immune dysfunction of SCI patients
(Bilkent University, 2017-03)The primary aim of this thesis is to extend the breadth of in vivo application of externally loaded exosomes as prophylactic or therapeutic carriers against disease treatment. Exosomes are secreted from all cells and ... -
In vivo applications of liposomal vaccines encapsulating single or dual pathogenassociated molecular patterns
(Bilkent University, 2017-03)Nucleic acid-based pattern recognition receptor (PRR) agonists are promising adjuvants and immunotherapeutic agents. Combination of PRR ligands potentiates immune response by providing synergistic immune activity via ... -
Cancer testis gene expression as a biomarker of one-carbon metabolic activity, drug sensitivity and phenotypic heterogeneity in non-small cell lung cancer and malignant melanoma
(Bilkent University, 2016-09)Expression of cancer-testis (CT) genes on X chromosome (CT-X) is restricted to tumors, with very low or no expression in normal adult tissues. CT-X gene expression is one of the factors contributing to tumor heterogeneity ... -
Immunotherapeutic applications of nucleic acid based tlr agonists and antagonists
(Bilkent University, 2014)Recent evidence suggests that genetic material is not just the blueprint of life. Depending on the type of the source that genomic material is extracted or the type of motif that DNA harbors DNA could be immunostimulatory ... -
Analysis of 45S rDNA promoter methylation and expression of rRNA transcripts in breast cancer
(Bilkent University, 2015)Ribosome biogenesis has a central role in cell growth and proliferation that is usually disrupted in tumor cells by the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene ... -
Identification of novel genetic elements controlling transcriptional regulation of the human Na(formula)/I(formula) symporter (NIS) gene
(Bilkent University, 2006)The function of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) in mammary gland epithelial cells is essential for the accumulation of iodide in mother’s milk, which is the first source of iodide for the synthesis of thyroid hormones in ... -
Heterogeneity of hepatocellular malignant phenotype
(Bilkent University, 2006)Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most wide-spread carcinomas throughout the world - responsible for more than 600,000 deaths annually - and is strongly associated with several etiological factors; including ... -
In silico identification of candidate MECP2 targets and quantitative analysis in rett syndrome
(Bilkent University, 2006)Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neuro-developmental disorder seen exclusively girls in the childhood. It is one of the most common causes of mental retardation with an incidence rate of 1/10,000-1/15,000. Mutations ... -
WNT/(formula)-Catenin signaling pathway activation in epithelial cancers
(Bilkent University, 2006)Wnt signaling is involved in a large set of cellular and developmental processes, and when mis-regulated can lead to both degenerative diseases and many types of cancer. The involvement of Wnt signaling was already well ... -
Analysis of candidate molecular targets in adult (CML) and childhood (AML, ALL) Leukemias
(Bilkent University, 2004)Candidate molecular targets were investigated in three different types of leukemias, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The first group of these molecular ... -
Acquired tolerance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to selenium-deficiency : a selective survival mechanism
(Bilkent University, 2003)Selenium-deficiency causes liver necrosis. Selenium is protective against viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The underlying molecular mechanisms of selenium effects are ill-known. In this study in vitro ... -
Hepatocellular carcinoma viral etiology and molecular mechanisms
(Bilkent University, 2003)Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent carcinomas throughout the world, being responsible for more than 1 million deaths annually and has a strong association with several etiological factors including ... -
Identification of genes induced by BRCA1 in breast cancer cells
(Bilkent University, 2002)Inherited mutations of the BRCA1 gene predispose to cancer of the breast, ovaries and other organs. The BRCA1 protein product is implicated in the maintenance of chromosomal integrity as BRCA1-deficient cells display ... -
p53 mutations as a source of aberrant Beta-catenin accumulation in cancer cells
(Bilkent University, 2002)β-catenin is involved in both cell-cell interactions and wnt pathway-dependent cell fate determination through its interactions with E-cadherin and TCF/LEF transcription factors, respectively. Cytoplasmic/nuclear levels ... -
Regulation of human monocyte differentiation into m1- and m2-like macrophages
(Bilkent University, 2016-05)Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) play a key role in down-regulating activated T and NK cells. MDSC are emerging as targets for cancer immunotherapy since they protect tumor cells from immune elimination. We ... -
The characterization and potential functional role of wdr81, a novel zebrafish gene, associated with cerebellar ataxia, mental retardation and dysequilibrium syndrome (camrq) in humans
(Bilkent University, 2016-04)Cerebellar ataxia, mental retardation and dysequilibrium syndrome (CAMRQ) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The gene encoding WD repeat containing protein 81 (WDR81) was reported to be associated with CAMRQ2 [MIM 610185]. ...
