Ex vivo Stem Cell Expansion

Limited availability of appropriately human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-compatible hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) still poses a problem for allogeneic HSC transplantation. Even if a donor is available, higher number of HSPCs are needed to reduce toxicity of the procedure. We aim to develop tools for generation of quality-controlled HSPC products via small molecule induced ex vivo HSPC expansion .

Regenerative Small Molecules

Discovery of cell cycle modulators and utilization of neonatal cardiac regeneration mouse model provided a new platform for development of therapeutics targeting cardiomyocyte cell cycle. One of the objective of our lab is to identify cardiogenic small molecules that could reactivate cardiomyocyte cell cycle in the adult heart. We employ in silico approaches followed by validation in vitro on cardiomyocytes and in vivo using neonatal cardiac regeneration model.

Regenerative Cardiology

We recently uncovered one of the key regulators of cardiomyocyte cell cycle arrest (published at Nature) that limits heart regeneration in mouse. This is accomplished by using neonatal cardiac regeneration mouse model. Long term goal of our lab is to identify molecular mechanisms of neonatal cardiac regeneration of the mammalian heart, and design therapeutic strategies to reactivate this regenerative phenomenon in the adult heart.
Yeditepe University
Genetics and Bioengineering Department