Gamze Uzunoglu

PhD student/postdoctoral researcher Oct 2022 -

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

In February this year, I earned my Dr. rer. nat. degree from Heidelberg University and I am currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Carmen Nussbaum-Krammer’s laboratory at LMU, Munich. My research has centered on deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease, specifically the cellular toxicity caused by misfolding and aggregation of α-Synuclein. On this project, I and a fellow PhD student worked as a team, and together we have generated genetically engineered C. elegans models and developed a novel tissue-specific ribosome profiling approach to analyze gene expression changes with cell-type specificity. This work has identified previously unknown molecular pathways associated with α-Synuclein toxicity, providing new insights into its pathogenicity. Currently, I am working on further characterizing these pathological changes by manipulating cellular pathways by RNA-interference or drug treatments and analyzing genetically engineered C. elegans strains with fluorescent reporters via confocal microscopy.

Beyond research, I have actively contributed to mentorship and training, supervising three master’s students during their student internships and training colleagues with ribosome profiling and NGS library preparation techniques. I regularly work in collaboration with research technicians on various projects. Additionally, my experience with laboratory relocations across two research institutes has strengthened my ability to adapt and optimize complex biochemical protocols for different equipment, reinforcing my problem-solving skills and adaptability.

PhD student Oct 2019 - Sep 2022

German Cancer Research Center

I had started my PhD as a part of the ZMBH-DKFZ alliance at the Bukau Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Carmen Nussbaum-Krammer. Due to our research group moving to Munich, I had transferred to LMU and continued my PhD project in Prof. Nussbaum-Krammer's group. 

Heidelberg University 2019 - 2025

Field of study: Molecular Biology
Degree: Dr. rer. nat.

Thesis title: Tissue-specific ribosome profiling in C. elegans models of α-Synuclein spreading and toxicity.

PhD supervisors: Prof. Bernd Bukau and Prof. Carmen Nussbaum-Krammer

Grade: Magna cum laude

I have succesfully defended my PhD thesis in February 2025. My PhD project involved development of a novel tissue-specific gene expression analysis technology in C. elegans. 

During the first 3 years of my PhD at the DKFZ, Heidelberg, I worked closely with a fellow PhD student and generated genetically modified animals using CRISPR/Cas9, developed and optimized a new protocol for tissue-specific ribosome profiling and learned NGS data analysis and relevant programming tools required for the data analysis.

In the following 2.5 years at LMU, Munich, I worked on validation of the cellular pathways identified by tissue-specific ribosome profiling, using RNA-interference and confococal microscopy techniques. During this period I also supervised 3 master's students and presented my findings at an international conference. In addition, I had trained fellow scientists on the NGS library preparation and data interpretation.    

Heidelberg University 2016 - 2019

Field of study: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Degree: Master of Science

GPA: 1.3 (very good)

Thesis title: Establishing ribosome profiling in C. elegans

Supervisor: Dr. Carmen Nussbaum-Krammer

• Optimization of C. elegans cell lysis protocol for polysome isolation
• Developing and optimizing the ribosome profiling protocol in C. elegans

Istanbul Technical University 2011 - 2016

Field of study: Molecular Biology and Genetics
Degree: Bachelor of Science

GPA: 3.26/4.00 (very good)

Bachelor's thesis: Investigation of NFIB-Ataxin-3 Interactions via GST Pulldown Assays

Thesis supervisor: Assist. Prof. Asli Kumbasar

• Molecular cloning for a bacterial expression plasmid
• GST-pulldown assays for analysis of protein-protein interactions
• Western blotting