Bilkent University · Molecular Biology & Genetics
Melisa Kılıç
Understanding life at the molecular level — one experiment at a time.
Ankara, Türkiye · Open to collaborations
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About Me

Curious about
the code of life.

I'm a molecular biologist who believes the most interesting questions sit at the intersection of disciplines.

I graduated from Bilkent University's Molecular Biology and Genetics program in January 2026, where my entire education was conducted in English — shaping both my scientific thinking and my academic communication.

My research has taken me to UNAM (Ankara) for synthetic biology and biofilm engineering, and to the Danio Lab at ELTE Budapest for zebrafish developmental biology and DNA repair mechanisms. Each experience deepened my understanding of how molecular events shape biological systems.

My scientific interests center on cancer biology, immunology, and molecular medicine — fields where precision science meets genuine human impact.

Bilkent University · Ankara, Turkey
Technical Skills
Molecular Techniques
Molecular Cloning PCR / qPCR Western Blot ELISA Gel Electrophoresis DNA Extraction
Cell & Model Organisms
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Cell Culture Bacterial Culture Microscopy
Computational
Python Bioinformatics MATLAB
Research Areas
Cancer Biology Synthetic Biology Immunology Developmental Biology CRISPR-Cas9 Epigenetics
Research

Lab
experience.

Research in synthetic biology, developmental biology, and molecular genetics.

Summer 2025
Research Intern
Danio Lab · ELTE Budapest, Hungary
Investigated DNA repair mechanisms and developmental biology using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism. Performed gene expression analyses during embryonic development stages and contributed to protocols for studying DNA damage response pathways.
ZebrafishDNA RepairDevelopmental BiologyqPCREmbryology
Summer 2024
Research Intern
UNAM · National Nanotechnology Research Center, Ankara
Conducted experimental research in synthetic biology and biofilm engineering. Performed molecular analyses on bacterial biofilm formation and regulation, and gained hands-on experience with synthetic biology tools for genetic circuit design.
Synthetic BiologyBiofilm EngineeringMicrobiologyMolecular CloningGenetic Circuits
2021 — January 2026
B.Sc. Molecular Biology & Genetics
Bilkent University · Ankara, Turkey
Completed a fully English-language undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics. Coursework spanned microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and immunology.
GeneticsBiochemistryCell BiologyCancer BiologyMicrobiology
Research Interests

What drives
my curiosity.

🧬
Cancer Biology
MAPK/RAS signaling, RTK mechanisms, cyclin-CDK regulation, tumor hallmarks, and targeted therapies including BRAF inhibitors and mTOR/everolimus pathways.
🔬
Developmental Biology
Embryogenesis, organ development, and gene regulation during development — with direct zebrafish model organism experience at ELTE Budapest.
⚗️
Synthetic Biology
Genetic circuit design, biofilm engineering, and synthetic biology tools to study and reprogram microbial behavior — from UNAM internship experience.
🛡️
Immunology
Immune cell signaling, innate and adaptive immunity, inflammatory pathways, and the molecular basis of immune responses in health and disease.
💻
Bioinformatics
Computational approaches to genomics — k-mer frequency analysis, sequence alignment, and data-driven methods in molecular biology using Python.
🧫
Molecular Medicine
Translating molecular mechanisms into therapeutic understanding — epigenetics, DNA repair, and disease-relevant signaling cascades in human biology.
Contact

Let's
connect.

Open to research collaborations, academic discussions, and connecting with scientists working on molecular medicine or related fields.

melisakilic119@gmail.com
LinkedIn
GitHub — melisakilic119-lab
ORCID — 0009-0002-6824-8101
Location
Turkey
Languages
TurkishNative
EnglishAdvanced
GermanBeginner · A1