Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Şermin Genç
The Genc Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection Laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying currently untreatable neurodegenerative diseases and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Our research targets cell death and neuroprotective mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. In particular, we investigate inflammasome activation and its role in pyroptotic cell death, with a specific emphasis on microglial cells. Within the context of neurodegenerative diseases, we explore both innovative therapeutic approaches and early diagnostic possibilities, focusing especially on blood-based biomarker expression profiles. Through this approach, we aim to contribute to the scientific understanding of disease mechanisms and to the improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection Laboratory – Research Areas
- In vitro and in vivo modeling of neurodegenerative diseases
- Modeling of inflammation and inflammasome activation, and determination of the effects of drug candidates
- Research on non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and tRNA fragments)
- Investigation of extracellular vesicles and their contents as biomarkers
- Development of novel diagnostic methods using the single molecule array technique
- Analyses using the single molecule array technique (tau, amyloid beta, NFL, and GFAP)
Publications
Tarakcioglu E, Genc B, Tufekci KU, Genc S. Neonatal NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Leads to Perineuronal Net Deficits in Early Adulthood. Dev Neurobiol. 2025 Jul;85(3):e22986. doi: 10.1002/dneu.22986. PMID: 40538102; PMCID: PMC12179493.
Gonul CP, Karacicek B, Genc S. Neuron-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Emerging Biomarkers and Functional Mediators in Alzheimer's Disease, With Comparative Insights Into Neurodevelopment and Aging. Dev Neurobiol. 2025 Jul;85(3):e22984. doi: 10.1002/dneu.22984. PMID: 40503760; PMCID: PMC12160402.
Karacicek B, Katkat E, Binokay L, Ozhan G, Karakülah G, Genc S. The Role of tRNA Fragments on Neurogenesis Alteration by H₂O₂-induced Oxidative Stress. J Mol Neurosci. 2025 Apr 11;75(2):47. doi: 10.1007/s12031-025-02330-x. PMID: 40216606; PMCID: PMC11991940.
Arioz BI, Binokay L, Tastan B, Genc B, Cotuk A, Dursun E, Gezen-Ak D, Hanagası H, Gurvit IH, Bilgic B, Bagriyanik A, Karakülah G, Yener GG, Genc S. Characterization of tRNA-derived fragments in the small neuron-derived extracellular vesicles of Alzheimer's disease patients. Brain Res. 2025 Sep 1;1862:149730. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2025.149730. Epub 2025 May 26. PMID: 40436234.
Kiser C, Ercan I, Engur D, Genc S. NLRP3 inflammasome: a key player in neonatal brain injury. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2025 Jul;68(7):475-485. doi: 10.3345/cep.2024.01935. Epub 2025 Apr 1. PMID: 40211861; PMCID: PMC12235344.
Staff
Active Members
Bilge Karaçiçek (Researcher)
İlkcan Ercan Orhan (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Çağla Kiser (PhD Student)
Gülten Kuru (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Kemal Uğur Tüfekci (Visiting Researcher)
Latife Arzu Aral (Visiting Researcher)
Aysu Başak Kök (Visiting Researcher)
Cansu Yaka (PhD Student)
Khadıjakhanım Jafarova (Master's Student)
Hüseyin Kocakuşak (Master's Student)
Batın Güleç (Master's Student)
Yusuf Güdücü (Master's Student)
Former Members
Melis Olçum (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Nilsu Taştan (Research Technician)
Bora Taştan (PhD Student)
Burak İbrahim Arıöz (PhD Student)
İlkcan Ercan Orhan (PhD Student)
Defne Engür (PhD Student)
Devrim Yağmur Durur (Master's Student)
Nurullah Satı (Master's Student)
Bedir İrem Eltutan (Master's Student)
Çağla Niğde (Master's Student)
Emre Tarakçıoğlu (PhD Student)
Ceren Perihan Gönül Limoncuoğlu (PhD Student)
Ayşen Çotuk (Master's Student)
Şerife Beyza Türe (Master's Student)
