Laboratory members
The Wingender laboratory maintains a collaborative and friendly environment with currently eight people from four different countries (Eswatini/Swaziland, Brazil, Germany, and Turkey).
Dr. Gerhard Wingender
After my PhD in Germany (Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg) I worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI, San Diego, USA), which ranks top five in the world for the impact of its papers in the field of immunology. iNKT cell biology has been the major focus of my research since my PhD. In late 2015 I established this group at IBG. I got interested in immunology as it is literally important for everyone and due to its enormous potential to improve the lives of all of us. .
Dr. Ana Luiza Seidinger
I have always been motivated to fight diseases by identifying what is not functioning well in the body. After my PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology, I focused for 10 years on translational research in an oncology hospital in Brazil (Boldrini Children’s Center), analysing datasets from gene expression, exome, methylome, and spatial lipidomic from different human cancers. Here in the lab, I am supervising the bioinformatic work done. Currently, we are using in silico approaches to better characterize different iNKT cell subsets and their role in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Zeynep Özge Ayyıldız
In the early years of my graduate education, I worked on cancer therapeutics (1) to identify biomarkers to improve personalized anti-cancer treatments (Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey) and (2) to investigate the potential cancer-promoting impacts of cancer related-anemia treatment (Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey). In my PhD (Wingender Lab, DEU-iBG, Izmir) I got interested in the role of our natural defence system, the immune system, during the course of cancer. I started working with human iNKT cells but being fascinated by all innate-like T cells, I was also drawn to γδ T cells and MAIT cells. As a postdoctoral fellow, I am working now on (1) the impact of a particular death pathway (TRAIL/DRs) on innate-like T cells, and (2) the potential interplay between adipocytes and innate-like T cells, both in a cancer setting.
Pumla Bhekiwe Manyatsi
During my MSc in biotechnology, majoring in molecular genetics, I was also actively engaged in interdisciplinary projects involving bioinformatics and bioengineering. For my PhD studies, I am venturing into a new and exciting phase of my academic pursuit, immersing myself in the realm of bioinformatics and its applications in immunology. Next Generation Sequencing and RNA-seq studies provide a deeper understanding of the immune system by examining gene expression patterns, splicing variants, and novel transcripts. My current focus is on innate-like T cells, encompassing iNKT, MAIT, and γδ T cells, in the context of anti-tumour responses.
Yavuz Mercan
The main focus of my MSc thesis was viral pathogens, in particular influenza viruses. However, during my work on the genetics and evolution of Influenza A viruses, my interest shifted to immunology. Therefore, I started my PhD in the Wingender Lab on Mucosal Immunology at IBG. I have been studying the pathogenic features of iNKT cells in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) with a specific interest in the NKT2 cell subset.
Yonca Ünlüer
I completed my MSc in Bioengineering (Ege University, Turkey) working on biomaterials and 3D biointerphases to improve their self-assembly and usability as a model for e.g. Parkinson’s disease. Since summer 2019 I have also been working as a Researcher at the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG). I am responsible for the laboratory management of the Mucosal Immunology Laboratory. Furthermore, I am working with human iNKT and MAIT cells, currently optimizing their in vitro expansion.
Ceren Göncü
I completed my MA degree in Political Science and International Relations (Izmir University of Economics, Turkey) with a thesis on the effects of commercial space mining on international relations from legal, security, economic, and political perspectives. Currently, I support the general management of the laboratory and am responsible for the management of our international projects.
Saliha Kurt
For my MSc in Chemistry (Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey), I combined biology and chemistry by investigating the usability of biomaterial-derived micro-/nanoparticles as drug delivery systems and their anti-microbial activity in vitro. For my PhD, I am drawn to immunology due to its vital role in disease protection. Currently, I am learning about iNKT cell subsets, in particular NKTfh cells, and their potential role in improving vaccinations.
Çağıl Feray Denizel
I completed my BSc degree at the Izmir Institute of Technology (Molecular Biology and Genetics), where I studied the drug response of breast cancer cells (invasion, metastasis). During the last months of my education, I realized my interest in immunology and I am happy to join the Mucosal Immunology lab for my MSc studies. Here I will focus on how innate-like T cells work together at mucosal surfaces to protect the human body.
Ilgaz Terzi
​I completed my BSc degree at Bilkent University (Molecular Biology and Genetics), where my interest in immunology sparked. This field, which opens up new questions with each discovery, fascinates me. Currently, I am pursuing my MSc degree in the Mucosal Immunology lab, focusing on the characterization of iNKT cell subsets, particularly NKTfh cells, and their potential to enhance airway vaccination strategies. My ultimate objective is to develop new therapeutics for unresolved clinical challenges in immunology!
Dora SiÄŸli
​My passion for immunology began during my BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Acıbadem University, where I investigated interferon signature genes in an undiagnosed autoinflammatory family. During my MSc in Molecular Medicine at the University of Sheffield, I developed a strong interest in COPD immunology while studying neutrophil responses using a zebrafish model. My growing curiosity and commitment to understanding COPD's complex immunological mechanisms have now led me to join the Wingender Lab, where I will pursue my PhD focusing on COPD immunology.
... and YOU?
For people with a strong background/interest in immunology or bioinformatics who want to join our laboratory, please go to ‘Open Positions’ for more information.
Laboratory Alumni (in chronological order of their departure date)
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• Aylin YaÅŸar completed her MSc with us in September 2023.
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• Müge Özkan completed her PhD with us in February 2021 and moved on for post-doctoral research in Germany and the USA.
• Cem Eskiocak worked with us as a Research Associate for almost 3 years. In December 2020 he started his PhD at Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany).
• Sezgin Bal completed his MSc with us in September 2020 and is currently pursuing his PhD at the Technical University Munich (Germany).
• Zeynep Tanyolac completed her MSc with us in September 2020 and is currently pursuing her PhD at the Koc University (Turkey).
• Başak Gündüz completed her MSc with us in April 2020 and is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Mainz (Germany).
• Fatma Hapil worked for almost two years with us till February 2019 as post-doctoral fellow. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Akdeniz University (Turkey).
• Ece Somuncular started her MSc with us but switched in April 2017 to a combined MSc/PhD program at the Karolinska Institute (Sweden). She is currently a Research Scientist at Anocca (Sweden).
