معرفی
Deniz Top is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He leads the Molecules to Behaviour Laboratory, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biochemistry, neurobiology, and behavioral sciences using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.
His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms—how the brain regulates behaviors such as sleep and hunger through an intrinsic molecular clock. The lab investigates how transcriptional and post-translational processes maintain a 24-hour biological rhythm, and how disruptions in these mechanisms may contribute to mental illness and neurodegenerative disorders.
The recent publications highlight a strong trend in chronobiology, with emphasis on the structural and functional characterization of core clock proteins such as cryptochrome, Period, and Timeless. Research spans from in vivo neuronal imaging to biochemical analysis of kinase regulation and photoreduction mechanisms, reflecting a deep integration of molecular and systems-level approaches.
Dr. Top has mentored several trainees, including a laboratory manager and graduate students. His work has been published in high-impact journals such as eLife, PNAS, and Nature. The lab is actively involved in uncovering molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in behavioral and neurological disorders.
