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October 1, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations — The project led by Açelya Yaşar, a doctoral student in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at GTU, focusing on tumor formation and treatment resistance in breast cancer, has been accepted for support under the TÜBİTAK 1002-A Rapid Support Module.
The doctoral dissertation project led by Açelya Yaşar, a doctoral student in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Gebze Technical University (GTU), has been awarded funding under the TÜBİTAK 1002-A Rapid Support Module. Conducted under the supervision of Prof. Ayten Kandilci, a faculty member in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at GTU, the study aims to generate significant findings toward understanding cellular mechanisms and treatment resistance in breast cancer.
Strong Scientific Collaboration Between Universities The project, which will contribute to scientific collaboration between two higher education institutions, also involves Prof. Özlen Konu, a faculty member in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Bilkent University. Prof. Konu will provide advisory support for the in vivo analysis processes involving zebrafish microinjection techniques, contributing to the successful completion of the project.
To Be Studied for the First Time in a Zebrafish Model The primary objective of the research is to in vivo investigate the effect of the interaction between the DEK protein, which plays a critical role in breast cancer development and cellular proliferation, and the estrogen signaling pathway on tumorigenic potential.
In the first stage of the doctoral dissertation research, an earlier TÜBİTAK 1002-A Project led by Açelya Yaşar mapped changes in gene expression using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. As a functional continuation of these findings, the new project will, for the first time, investigate the tumor-forming capacity of breast cancer cells with altered DEK expression in the presence and absence of estrogen using a larval xenograft model of zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Building an Information Base for Clinical Treatment Processes The data obtained from the study will contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing the development of treatment resistance in breast cancer and to establishing an information base to guide clinical treatment management. |
