Biopharmaceutic Technologies and Bioanalysis
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Hülya AYAR KAYALI
Our research group focuses on the development of targeted therapies. We actively utilize molecular modeling, docking, and dynamic simulations in the identification of new drug candidates. The production and detailed characterization of monoclonal antibodies form a core part of our projects. We are also engaged in the development and validation of diagnostic tools, including glycan analysis kits and various test kits. Our aim is to achieve precise drug delivery to biological targets through exosome-based carrier systems. In parallel, we are working on liposome and nanoparticle-based formulations for efficient drug delivery. The biocompatibility and effectiveness of these systems are comprehensively evaluated under laboratory conditions. All our research efforts are driven by a multidisciplinary approach with the goal of offering innovative therapeutic solutions.
Research Areas
Targeted therapy development
Development of new drug candidates and molecular modeling (docking & dynamic simulations)
Monoclonal antibody production and characterization
Diagnostic kit development and validation
Exosome-based delivery systems
Drug delivery systems with liposome and nanoparticle formulations
Targeted drug delivery systems and biocompatibility studies
Publications
Gungor, Y., Ercan, S., Ermiş, S. S. Ö., Kozalı, Y., Kursunluoglu, G., Sahan, C., ... & Kayali, H. A. NLRP3 is a BMI-independent mediator of stable COPD, BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 25(1), 31, 2025. doi: 10.1186/s12890-024-03435-6
Atalay, E. B., Senturk, S., Ayar Kayalı, H. Wild-type IDH1 Knockout Leads to G0/G1 Arrest, Impairs Cancer Cell Proliferation, Altering Glycolysis, and the TCA Cycle in Colon Cancer. Biochemical Genetics. 1-17, 2023. doi: 10.1007/s10528-022-10325-1
Yilmaz, G., Tavsan, Z., Cagatay, E., Kursunluoglu, G., Ayar Kayalı, H. Exosomes releasedfrom cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells modulate the reprogramming of cells in tumor microenvironments toward the cancerous cells. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 157, 113973, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113973
Atalay, B. E., Kayalı, A. H. The elevated D-2-hydroxyglutarate level found as a characteristic metabolic change of colon cancer in both in vitro and in vivo models. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 627, 191-199, 2022. doi : 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.08.019
Güler S, Kayalı, A. H., Orkun E.,Subaşı E., Half-Sandwich Arene Ruthenium(II) Thiosemicarbazone Complexes: Evaluation of Anticancer Effect on Primary and Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1-15, 2022. doi : 10.3389/fphar.2022.882756
Köse, E., Çağatay, E., MERCAN, T. Y., Kisa, P. T., Güler, S., Gülten, Z. A., ... & Arslan, N. (2022). Could lysosomal acid lipase enzyme activity be used for clinical follow-up in cryptogenic cirrhosis? Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 52(4), 1075-1084, 2022. doi: 10.55730/1300-0144.5410
Cagatay, E., Akyildiz, V., Ergun, Y., Kayali, H. A. Synthesis of Murrayaquinone-A Derivatives and Investigation of Potential Anticancer Properties. Chemistry & Biodiversity, e2100348, 2021. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202100348
Dükel, M., Tavsan, Z., Kayali, H. A. Flavonoids regulate cell death related cellularsignaling via ROS in human colon cancer cells. Process Biochemistry, 101, 11-25,2021. doi: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.10.002
Tavsan, Z., Kayali, H. A. Protein Kinase C regulates the complex between cell membranemolecules in ovarian cancer. Process Biochemistry, 92, 182-189, 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.01.009
Tavsan, Z., Ayar Kayalı, H. EpCAM-claudin-tetraspanin-modulated ovarian cancer progression and drug resistance. Cell Adhesion & Migration, 14(1), 57- 68, 2020. doi: 10.1080/19336918.2020.1732761
Subasi, E., Atalay, E. B., Erdogan, D., Sen, B., Pakyapan, B., Kayali, H. A. Synthesis and characterization of thiosemicarbazone-functionalized organoruthenium (II)-arene complexes: Investigation of antitumor characteristics in colorectal cancer cell lines. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 110152, 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.110152
Projects
TÜSEB, Investigation of Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Protein Kinase C Alpha (PKC) and Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) in Ovarian Cancer
TÜBİTAK, Development of a Rapid Diagnostic Kit for Sepsis, Completed
TÜBİTAK, Development and Validation of a Glycan Kit, Completed
BAP, Recombinant L-Asparaginase Production, Completed
ADEP, Development of a Lateral Flow-Based Rapid Diagnostic Kit for Lactate Detection, Completed
TÜSEB, Synthesis and Characterization of Next-Generation Therapeutic Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Ovarian Cancer, Completed
TÜSEB, Development of Effective Biosimilar Drugs for Ovarian Cancer, Completed
TÜBİTAK (1007), Development and Production of a Biosimilar Drug Containing Monoclonal Antibody Active Substance for Cancer and Osteoporosis Treatment, Completed
TÜBİTAK (1001), Uptake Pathways of Exosomes Secreted from Ovarian Cancer Cells by Primary Ovarian Cancer Cells, Healthy Epithelial and Mesothelial Cells, and Their Effect on Carcinogenesis Mechanisms in Target Cells, Completed
TÜBİTAK (1002), Investigation of Metabolite Levels in the TCA Cycle and Glycolysis Pathway in Colon Cancer Cell Lines at Different Stages Using HPLC Method, Completed
BAP, In vitro Investigation of the Effect of PKC Isoenzyme Activities on Certain Pathways in Colon Cancer, Completed
TÜBİTAK (1001), Determination of the Role of Tetraspanin, Claudin, EpCAM Tumor Marker Proteins, and Protein Kinase C in Ovarian Cancer, Completed
BAP, Production of Ramoplanin Antibiotic via Submerged Culture Fermentation, Completed
BAP, Differential Role of Certain Tumor Markers and Protein Kinase C in a Eukaryotic Cancer Model, Completed
BAP, Investigation of the Effect of Certain Environmental Factors on Secondary Metabolite Production in Medicinal Plants Grown in Turkey, Completed
BAP, Investigation of the Effect of Cisplatin Used in Chemotherapy on the Electron Transport System of Glial Cells, Completed
BAP, Determination of the Correlation Between Vancomycin Antibiotic Production in Amycolatopsis orientalis and Pentose Phosphate Pathway Metabolites, Completed
Patents
An α-ketoglutarate inhibitor for use in the treatment of colon cancer, Patent, Section A Human Necessities, 2022/018034
A polymeric nanoparticle with specific cytotoxic effect on ovarian cancer cells and its preparation method, 2023/004757
Polymeric nanoparticle that has a cytotoxic effect specifically on ovarian cancer cells and a method of preparing it., PCT/TR2024/050241
VEGFR-2 targeted antibody-drug conjugate effective in the treatment of ovarian cancer (Patent No. WO2025136325)
Staff
Active Members
Ekrem Tınaz (Researcher)
Gizem Yılmazer Altun (R&D Personnel)
Duygu Erdoğan (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Elçin Çağatay (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Yonca Güngör (PhD Student)
Ege Gökçe Savaş (PhD Student)
Mariam J. M Ghunaım (PhD Student)
Aytaj Abushova (PhD Student)
Fethican Kayhan (PhD Student)
Ezgi İtil (PhD Student)
Defne Gövem (MSc Student)
Onur Özkaya (MSc Student)
Halit Enes Belge (MSc Student)
Hilal Tay (MSc Student)
Former Members
Gizem Kurşunoğlu (Researcher)
İlyas Umur Ayaz (Researcher)
Muzaffer Dükel (Visiting Researcher)
Gaye Saygı (Visiting Researcher)
Zehra Tavşan (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Seminay Güler (PhD Student)
Egemen Erdem Güler (PhD Student)
Esra Bulut (PhD Student)
Pumla Bhekıwe Manyatsı (PhD Student)
Gülnur Çırak (MSc Student)
Gizem Yılmaz (MSc Student)
Aziz Umut Durak (MSc Student)
Ayşe Caşkır (MSc Student)
Yiğit Kozalı (MSc Student)
Buse Sevgi (MSc Student)
İlayda Keleş (MSc Student)
