Atay Vural

Atay Vural, Associate Professor at Koç University School of Medicine, leads translational neuroimmunology and movement analysis research at the Koç University Translational Medicine Research Center (KUTTAM). His work bridges clinical neurology with advanced immunological and digital biomarker studies.

• Education: PhD and MD from Hacettepe University, Neurology specialization at Hacettepe University

Research Interests focus on multiple sclerosis, MOG antibody disease, and other autoimmune neurological disorders. His team employs advanced flow cytometry, functional immunological assays, single-cell RNA sequencing, and AI-supported diagnostics to identify digital biomarkers in gait and balance disorders. Collaborations with the Faculty of Engineering integrate sensor-based movement analysis into clinical applications.

Publications span high-impact journals like Nature Medicine and Movement Disorders, covering topics from pericyte dysfunction in MS to pediatric neuroimmunological case studies. His 2024-2025 work highlights innovations in neuro-mobinavigation and epigenetic sex differences in ALS.

• Scientific Awards: TÜBA GEBİP (2023), BAGEP (2021)

Mentorship includes supervising 4 PhD and 6 master's graduates, with 12 PhD students, 4 graduate students, and 2 postdocs actively researching under his guidance. Funding from TÜBİTAK, European Union, and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation supports his work on neuroinflammation and translational diagnostics.

Labs: Translational Neuroimmunology and Motion Analysis laboratories at KUTTAM develop clinical tests like anti-MOG antibody assays, impacting thousands of patient diagnoses globally.