Mayda Gürsel

Mayda Gürsel is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Middle East Technical University (METU). Her research focuses on innate immune responses mediated by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), with active projects in immunotherapeutic adjuvants, commensal bacteria-derived vesicles, anti-Leishmanial immunity, and immunodeficiency mechanisms. She collaborates with clinical immunologists to study disease pathogenesis in primary immunodeficiencies.

Education:

• Postdoc: FDA/NIH, Bethesda, USA (1998-2002)
• Ph.D.: University College London, School of Pharmacy, UK (1993-1996)
• M.Sc.: METU, Biological Sciences, Turkey (1987-1990)
• B.Sc.: METU, Biological Sciences, Turkey (1983-1987)

Research Interests: Her work bridges immunology and molecular biology, emphasizing vaccine development, microbiome interactions, and immune dysfunction analysis. Key topics include PRR-ligand adjuvants, exosome-based therapies, and microbiota in spinal cord injury patients.

Publications: Her articles highlight advancements in vaccine adjuvant nanotechnology (Sci Transl Med, 2014), microbiota-immune interactions (PLoS One, 2016), and NETosis mechanisms in genetic immunodeficiencies (JACI, 2018).