Email: eozkan@uchicago.edu
Cell surface receptor proteins and secreted protein ligands determine the specific connectivity of cells which drives the development of complex systems and organs in multicellular organisms. My laboratory is interested in the biochemistry, signaling activity and interaction networks of proteins that are required for the development and function of nervous systems. Specifically, we are working on deciphering protein-protein interaction networks of the extracellular space required for axon guidance and pruning and synapse formation and validation using high-throughout methods. We study these proteins using a multi-disciplinary approach, including crystallography, cellular signaling assays and protein engineering strategies coupled to genetic modifications in model organisms.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Postdoctoral - Biochemistry
2013
U. of Texas Southwestern Med Ctr
Dallas, TX
Ph.D. - Molecular Biophysics
2006
Bilkent University
Ankara, Turkey
B.S. - Molecular Biology & Genetics
1999
Endocytosis in the axon initial segment maintains neuronal polarity.
Endocytosis in the axon initial segment maintains neuronal polarity. Nature. 2022 09; 609(7925):128-135.
PMID: 35978188
Molecular and structural basis of olfactory sensory neuron axon coalescence by Kirrel receptors.
Molecular and structural basis of olfactory sensory neuron axon coalescence by Kirrel receptors. Cell Rep. 2021 11 02; 37(5):109940.
PMID: 34731636
Finally on Track: Interactions of Off-Track with Plex-Sema Pathway and Glycosaminoglycans.
Finally on Track: Interactions of Off-Track with Plex-Sema Pathway and Glycosaminoglycans. Structure. 2020 05 05; 28(5):492-494.
PMID: 32375057
NELL2-Robo3 complex structure reveals mechanisms of receptor activation for axon guidance.
NELL2-Robo3 complex structure reveals mechanisms of receptor activation for axon guidance. Nat Commun. 2020 03 20; 11(1):1489.
PMID: 32198364
Family of neural wiring receptors in bilaterians defined by phylogenetic, biochemical, and structural evidence.
Family of neural wiring receptors in bilaterians defined by phylogenetic, biochemical, and structural evidence. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 05 14; 116(20):9837-9842.
PMID: 31043568
A Proteomic Screen of Neuronal Cell-Surface Molecules Reveals IgLONs as Structurally Conserved Interaction Modules at the Synapse.
A Proteomic Screen of Neuronal Cell-Surface Molecules Reveals IgLONs as Structurally Conserved Interaction Modules at the Synapse. Structure. 2019 06 04; 27(6):893-906.e9.
PMID: 30956130
Planar-Polarized Semaphorin-5c and Plexin A Promote the Collective Migration of Epithelial Cells in Drosophila.
Planar-Polarized Semaphorin-5c and Plexin A Promote the Collective Migration of Epithelial Cells in Drosophila. Curr Biol. 2019 03 18; 29(6):908-920.e6.
PMID: 30827914
Molecular basis of synaptic specificity by immunoglobulin superfamily receptors in Drosophila.
Molecular basis of synaptic specificity by immunoglobulin superfamily receptors in Drosophila. Elife. 2019 01 28; 8.
PMID: 30688651
Deconstruction of the beaten Path-Sidestep interaction network provides insights into neuromuscular system development.
Deconstruction of the beaten Path-Sidestep interaction network provides insights into neuromuscular system development. Elife. 2017 08 15; 6.
PMID: 28829740
Neural immunoglobulin superfamily interaction networks.
Neural immunoglobulin superfamily interaction networks. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2017 08; 45:99-105.
PMID: 28558267
Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in Neuroscience
2016
Klingenstein-Simons Neuroscience Fellow
2015