Duygu İldam

EDUCATION

College / University

Izmir Institute of Technology

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Country

Turkey

Lab Experience

Molecular Biology: PCR, IVT, EMSA, DNA/RNA extraction, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, Western/Northern blot, oligonucleotide modification, protein quantification (Bradford/BCA), Agarose gel electrophoresis, PAGE (SDS/Native/Tricine), Urea denaturing gel electrophoresis
Microbiology: Phage plaque assay, bacterial transformation, microbial staining, antimicrobial testing, MIC assay, crystal violet biofilm assay
Chromatography: IMAC, SEC, IEX, TLC, FPLC, HPLC
Programming/Software: R, Python, PyMOL, ChimeraX, COOT, ImageJ, SnapGene

Projects / Research

2024 – 2025: “Functional Characterization of Anti-CRISPR Proteins from Hyperthermoacidophilic Viruses”, Oke Lab, Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey
2024: “Optimization of Novel RNA-Protein Conjugation Reaction and Conjugate Purification”, Höfer Lab, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Germany
2023 – 2024: “Time-Dependent Biofilm Production at the mRNA Level of the pilM Gene in 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Treated Pseudomonas aeruginosa”, Soyer Lab, Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey

Scholarships / Awards

2025 – 2026:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2025:	TUBITAK 2247-C STAR Intern Researcher Scholarship
2024:	Erasmus+ Grant for the Summer Internship during internship at Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology
2023:	TUBITAK 2209-A Research Project Support Program for Undergraduate Students
2022 – 2025:	High Honors Student Certificate
2021 – 2025:	Education Scholarship by Izmir Institute of Technology

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

Microorganisms provide great insight into the principles of molecular life through their relative simplicity for fundamental discoveries. Some of this knowledge comes from studying proteins and their interactions with other macromolecules, which regulate cellular function, microbial communication, and disease mechanisms. To explore these systems, I pursued research projects investigating the microbial world. My work on viral anti-CRISPR proteins has deepened my interest in structural biology and the therapeutic potential of microbial defense mechanisms, while my studies in RNA biology focused on novel post-translational modifications in viral infections. Moving forward, I aim to study host-pathogen interactions by characterizing dynamic protein networks and modification patterns during infection. My goal is to explore the intersection of macromolecular and cellular biology to advance our understanding of essential biological processes.