Seminar - Gözde Korkmaz - How CRISPR is Shaping the Future of Biological Research
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
SEMINAR
DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS AND BIOENGINEERING
How CRISPR is Shaping the Future of Biological Research
Assist. Prof. Dr. Gözde KORKMAZ
Koç University
Date & Time: June 2nd 2025, 16:00
Place: Faculty of Engineering / 3rd Floor GBE Meeting Room (B634)
All interested are cordially invited.
ABSTRACT
CRISPR technologies have rapidly transformed the landscape of biological research, offering unprecedented precision and flexibility in genome editing. In this seminar, I will introduce the key concepts behind CRISPR-Cas systems, highlighting recent technological advances. We will then explore how these tools are being applied to answer fundamental biological questions, with a focus on functional genomics and disease modeling. Through selected case studies from my lab and others, I will demonstrate how CRISPR enables systematic gene function studies, discovery of regulatory elements, and the identification of novel therapeutic targets. This talk aims to provide the participants with a clear understanding of the potential and versatility of CRISPR in modern biomedical science, and inspire new ways to think about gene function and manipulation.
BIOGRAPHY
Gözde Korkmaz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Istanbul Technical University and a Ph.D. from the Sabancı University Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, completed in 2012. Following her doctoral studies, she conducted post-doctoral research at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Reuven Agami's laboratory. In 2020, she joined Koç University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor, where she established her own laboratory.
She is a distinguished recipient of the TÜBİTAK 2232 International Fellowship for Outstanding Researchers Program and has received several prestigious awards, including the Science Academy Society of Turkey – BAGEP and the Turkish Academy of Science – Outstanding Young Scientist (GEBİP) awards in 2021. In 2023, she was honored with the Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı Medical Awards – Scientific Research Support Award on Personalized Medicine. Dr. Korkmaz's research focuses on transcriptional regulation and epigenetics, particularly their roles in cancer development, drug resistance, and metastasis. Her lab integrates tailored CRISPR-based screening approaches with next-generation sequencing technologies to uncover novel therapeutic targets in cancer.
Beyond her research, Dr. Korkmaz is deeply committed to advancing science through academic event organization, public engagement, and science communication. Since 2022, she has led the KUTTAM Graduate Research Conference, providing a platform for young researchers to present their work. She also actively contributes to public science communication through CRISPR talks, media interviews, and science writing. In addition, she participates in outreach initiatives promoting women in STEM, including the PepsiCo Future Women in Science Academy and the IKSV Women in Music event. Through these efforts, she aims to foster scientific literacy, inspire future generations, and promote greater inclusivity in science.
