Banu Bayyurt Kocabaş

Banu Bayyurt Kocabaş is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey, specializing in immunology research. Her work focuses on understanding host-microbe interactions at molecular and cellular levels with particular emphasis on the immune system's defense mechanisms.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bilkent University (2011-2017)
• M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Middle East Technical University (2006-2009)
• B.Sc. in Biology from Hacettepe University (2002-2006)

Prior to her faculty position, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland (2017-2022).

Dr. Kocabaş's research program investigates how pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) distinguish self from non-self and how these receptors are regulated through various molecular mechanisms. Her laboratory pursues four main research directions:

• Designing novel immunostimulant agents and vaccines using immunoengineering and nanobiotechnology against cancer and infectious diseases
• Identification of new regulation mechanisms of pattern recognition receptors, particularly RIG-I receptor
• Elucidation of PRR regulation mechanisms in terms of age-specific differences
• Understanding the evolutionary role of viruses in innate immune system development

Her publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental immunological research to translational applications, with recent work (2024) focusing on cancer vaccine development using extracellular vesicles as delivery systems.

Among her scientific recognitions, she received The Işıl Berat Barlan Award 2023 as a young scientist at the XXVI. National Immunology Congress in Ankara, Turkey.

Dr. Kocabaş actively mentors graduate students, with laboratory members Havva and Nuride recently presenting their thesis work at national immunology conferences. Her research appears to be supported by funding sources including TUBITAK 2224-A, as indicated by conference support for her students.

Her laboratory maintains an active research program at the intersection of immunology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, with a strong emphasis on developing novel therapeutic approaches for cancer and infectious diseases through innovative delivery systems and immunomodulation strategies.