Molecular Biology (MSc/PhD)

Sona Pirkuliyeva

EDUCATION

College / University

Middle East Technical University, Ankara

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Biology and Genetics
pirkuliyeva

Country

Turkmenistan

Lab Experience

PCR, agarose/SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis, genomic DNA and plasmid isolation, recombinant DNA techniques (molecular cloning), Western and Southern blotting, techniques in protein purification, formaldehyde crosslinking, chromatin immunoprecipitation, traditional yeast genetics methods.

Projects / Research

  • 06/2009 – 08/2009: Composition and localization of centromeric nucleosome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max-Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany
  • 02/2010 – 06/2010: Surveillance of prion protein gene polymorphisms in Pakistani and Turkish native sheep breeds. Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara
  • 07/2010 – 09/2010: Analysis of DNA binding activity and specificity of Lon protease and CbpA in E. coli. ZMBH, Heidelberg

Scholarships / Awards

2010 – 2011: Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2007 – 2010: Nippon Foundation Scholarship for Central Asian University Students in Turkey

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

During my undergraduate years, I have been introduced to various fields of molecular biology, and did some practical work in molecular and cellular biology. Recently, I became particularly interested in human molecular genetics. By participating in this program I hope to broaden my knowledge in molecular biology and use it to study the molecular mechanisms and interactions underlying some human genetic diseases. I also have an interest in immunology, especially induction and maintenance of immunological memory.