RESEARCH PROJECTS

 
September  2014 - September 2016

" Enhancement of Project Capacity of Marmara University from TUBITAK ARDEB " TÜBİTAK TARAL 1000, 2014-2016 (Principal Investigator, 81.000 USD).

Marmara University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, 34722, Goztepe Campus, Istanbul, TURKEY.

Organising project info days, success stories and workshops on how to write research proposals

 
February 2012 - February 2015

" Identification of Colchicum L. Species in the Flora of Turkey via Nuclear DNA Content, Morphological Parameters and Association Mapping " TÜBİTAK TARAL 1001, 2012-2015 (Principal Investigator, 170.000 USD).

Marmara University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, 34722, Goztepe Campus, Istanbul, TURKEY.

Analyses on 49 species, and 16 species candidates including a total of 168 Colchicum populations;

  • 38 morphological parameters will be examined for proper technical characteristics certificate to The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)

  • Core DNA content by flow cytometry will be characterized.

  • DNA banks will be established from genomic DNA isolated from plants belonging to the 168 populations

  • The genome-wide association mapping will be conducted within the context of characterization studies at the molecular level using DNA samples isolated. In this frame, AFLP, RAPD and chloroplast trnL-trnF region genome-specific markers will be used to screen Colchicum species and candidates.

 

July 2006 - July 2010

" Development of Molecular Markers for Yellow Rust Resistance in Winter Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)" TÜBİTAK-TARAL 1007 (Principal Investigator, 750.000 USD)

TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MRC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Kocaeli, TURKEY.

  • Preparation of wheat germplasm for yellow rust resistance.
  • Crosses for obtaining mapping population for yellow rust resistance.
  • Inoculum preparation and storage of yellow rust fungus (Puccinia striiformis ssp).
  • Disease screening tests in greenhouse and field.
  • Identification of  PCR based molecular markers linked with yellow rust resistant genes.

June 2005 - June 2008

" Identification and Physiological, Molecular Characterisation of New Gene Resources of Aegilops tauschii Involved in Salt Tolerance" TÜBİTAK-TBAG (Principal Investigator, 120.000 USD)

TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MRC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Kocaeli, TURKEY.

  • Physiological screening of Aegilops tauschii genotypes by comparing Na, K, Ca intake and Na/K, Na/Ca ratios.
  • Identification new transcripts specific for the D genome in response to salt stress by cDNA AFLP.

May 2003 - Dec 2004

" Molecular cloning and characterization of drought resistance genes in wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) " (Post-doctoral work)

Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Prof. Eviatar Nevo, ISRAEL.

  • Cloning and sequencing of ABA biosynthesis genes in mesic and xeric wild barleys.  
  • Identification of sequence polymorphism among ABA biosynthesis genes between mesic and xeric barley populations. 
  • Gene expression analysis of ABA biosynthesis genes under a range of stress conditions including water and salt using RT-PCR and Real time PCR instruments.  

" Localization of Class II Transposons in Triticeae by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization " (Post-doctoral work)

Cytogenetic Laboratory, Dr. Alexander Belyayev, Dr. Olga Raskina, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, ISRAEL.

  • Preparation of cytoplasm free somatic and meiotic chromosomes from Triticeae.
  • Cloning, sequencing and FISH analysis of En-Spm transposons in Triticeae.

 

Sep 2001- May 2003

" Identification of drought related sequences in barley using PCR-based molecular markers and Flourescence In Situ Hybridization "

Istanbul University Research Foundation, Vezneciler-Istanbul – Turkey and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, RIGEB, TUBITAK, TURKEY.

 

 
  • Performing of AFLP, SSR, STS and RAPD analysis to find out drought-related molecular markers.  
  • Identification of chromosomal location of drought –related molecular markers in barley by using Florescence In Situ Hybridization.

 

Apr 2000 - Jan 2001

" Identifying new genes for resistance to Russian wheat aphid and incorporating them into commercially acceptable wheat varieties " (Visiting Scientist)

Dr. Nora Lapitan Laboratory, Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, CO - USA.

  • Testing of microsatellite markers on the populations segregating for Dn2. Identification of microsatellite marker WMS 437 which is linked to Dn2 at a distance of 2.9 cM.  

" Physical mapping of Russian wheat aphid (RWA) resistance gene Dn4 in wheat "  (Visiting Scientist)

  • Fish quality metaphase chromosome preparation, identification of positive BAC clones with southern blot analysis and pulse field gel electrophoresis, CotI DNA preparation, probe labeling with nick translation, merging the different flourescence-labeled pictures using different softwares (Adobe Photoshop, NIH Image, Gene Join Layers, Gene Join Layers).

 

Jan 2000 - Apr 2000

" Integrated QTL analysis of heat tolerance in wheat " (Visiting Scientist)

Dr. Patrick Bryne Laboratory, Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, CO - USA.

 

 

  • Performing microsatellite analysis on heat tolerant and susceptible wheat parents and their recombinant inbred lines for quantitative trait analyses.

 

Oct 1998 - Dec 1999

"Micropropagation of fast growing forest trees, establishment of Paulownia elongata micropropagation systems for industrial purposes"

TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MRC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Kocaeli, TURKEY.

 

   

  • Optimization of tissue culture systems via direct organogenesis

 

May 1998 - May 2001

" EUREKA - 1322 Cereal Stresstol Project - Identification of drought related molecular markers in wheat and barley "

TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MRC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Kocaeli, TURKEY.

 

 

 

  • Assessment of true-type F1 hybrids in different wheat and barley lines using RAPDs.
  • Selection of drought tolerant and susceptible wheat and barley F2 genotypes using morphological and physiological markers.
  •  Determination of drought related molecular markers (AFLP, RAPD, STS and microsatellite markers) using bulked segregant analysis.

 

Aug 1996 – Sep 1998

" Identification and characterization of poplar hybrids (Populus deltoides x Populus tremula) transformed with antisense caffeic acid O-methyltransferase and cationic peroxidase genes "

TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MRC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Kocaeli, TURKEY. 

 

 

  • Establishment of DNA banks and DNA fingerprints of poplar clones for long-term conservation, determination of poplar hybrids with molecular markers.
  •  Identification of putative transgenic plants by selective culture media, growth and micropropagation of plants, PCR analysis for transformed plants with specific primers, protein gel and enzymatic analysis of putative transgenic plants.  
  • Genomic DNA isolation from poplar leaf tissues, Random Amplified Polymorphic Analyses (RAPDs).

 

  Sep 1994 – May 1996

" Establishment of tissue culture and gene transfer systems in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) "

Istanbul University, Biology Department, Molecular Biology & Genetics Unit, TURKEY.

 

 

  • Optimization of tissue culture systems via direct and indirect organogenesis.
  • Transformation studies using Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes.
  • Determination of transgenic plants with polymerase chain reaction, identification of histochemical activities of some genes.