Sefer Baday

Sefer Baday is an Assistant Professor at Istanbul Technical University's Informatics Institute, Department of Informatics Applications, holding a PhD from the University of Basel (2013). His interdisciplinary research bridges computational biology, structural bioinformatics, and drug discovery.

• Education: PhD (Computational Biology, University of Basel), MA (Computational Sciences, Koç University), Licence (Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University)
• Positions: Assistant Professor (2015–present, Istanbul Technical University); Research Assistant (2014–2015, University of Cambridge; 2009–2014, University of Basel)

Research Interests: Focus on computational modeling of biological systems, including:

• Mechanistic studies of ion channels (Ryanodine receptors)
• Machine learning for molecular docking acceleration
• Force field optimization for drug interactions
• Peptide engineering for therapeutic applications
• Antiviral and anticancer drug development
• Plant nutrient transport mechanisms

Publication Trends: Recent work (2021–2025) emphasizes molecular docking, CHARMM force field, machine learning, and drug repurposing, with applications in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and virology. Earlier studies (2007–2016) focused on protein folding, ammonium transport, and biomaterials.

Projects: Leading six funded initiatives, including:

• GPX4 Ligand Recognition (2025–2027, BAP)
• Ryanodine Receptor Inhibitors (2020–2023, TUBITAK)
• Enzalutamide Resistance (2017–2020, TUBITAK)
• Alzheimer's Enzyme Inhibitors (2017–2020, BAP)
• Stapled Peptide Linkers (2016–2017, TUBITAK)

Collaborations span institutions like University of Cambridge, University of Basel, and Koç University, with co-authors in Turkey, Switzerland, and Germany. Methodologies include molecular dynamics simulations, machine learning, and CHARMM force field development.

Techniques: Expert in computational approaches to protein structure-function relationships, ligand binding, and nanomaterial design, with applications in drug discovery and regenerative medicine.