Altan Tekgül

EDUCATION

College / University

Bogazici University
University of Barcelona (Erasmus mobility student, Spring 2024)

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Country

Turkey

Lab Experience

DNA isolation, purification, quantification, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, agarose gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, bacterial culture growth, protein expression, protein extraction, subcellular fractionation, affinity chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, SDS-PAGE, Blue Native PAGE, right angle light scattering, protein crystallization, BCA assay, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, mammalian cell culture, calcium phosphate transfection, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry

Projects / Research

2025: Short-term Intern, “Structural and Functional Investigation of Mitochondria Crista Junctions”, AG Daumke, Max Delbrück Center of Molecular Medicine Berlin
2024 – 2025: Special Project Student, “Investigation of Homotypic Interaction Dynamics in the ASC Speck Formation”,AKİL Research Group, MBG Department, Bogazici University
2024: Research Intern, “Investigation of regulatory function of mitochondrial SLIMP protein in Drosophila melanogaster cell cycle progression”, Ribas Lab, IRB Barcelona
2022 – 2023: Research Intern, “3D Structure Determination of Human Thymidylate Synthase protein by using Turkish DeLight Light Source”, Structural Biology and Innovative Drug Development Center, Koc University

Scholarships / Awards

2025 – 2026:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2025:	Graduated with High Honors Degree from Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Bogazici University
2025:	Funded by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Directorate of Science Fellowships and Grant Program (BİDEB) 2224-D The Program for Supporting Participation in Scientific Education Activities Abroad
2024:	Received Matricula d'Honor (Excellence with Honors) distinction for a top-ranked course at University of Barcelona during Erasmus+ International Mobility Program
2024:	European Union Erasmus+ Scholarship for the mobility at University of Barcelona
2020 – 2025:	Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), 2205 Undergraduate Scholarship Program. National, merit-based scholarship awarded and continuously funded throughout undergraduate studies

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I am interested in protein biochemistry, particularly in interactions, structure, and stability. The ways in which proteins influence key cellular processes through their biochemical and biophysical features are especially fascinating to me. I am particularly interested in how structural defects in proteins contribute to disease mechanisms. Moreover, I aim to contribute to the development of novel therapies by exploring how specific proteins drive cancer progression via their biochemical activities. I am particularly drawn to the distinct biochemical features of proteins involved in cancer signaling cascades that deregulate critical cellular pathways. I believe that investigating these properties is essential for the development of novel and the improvement of existing therapeutic strategies.