Miss Ilkem Sevgili

Interests

I am currently working on Spiral Ganglion Neurons-on-a-chip and Stria Vascularis cells-on-a-chip projects.

In Spiral Ganglion Neurons-on-a-chip project, I aim to grow Spiral Ganglion Neurons (SGNs) onto the 3D printed structures with embedded sensors. On these 3D printed models coated with conductive materials, I will investigate the electrical and biological activity of SGNs after stimulation by cochlear implants in different locations.

In Stria Vascularis (SV) cells-on-a-chip project, I will screen various chemicals to enhance the ion pumping capacity of SV cells on a semi-permeable platform to develop a potential therapy for hearing loss due to SV degeneration.

My ultimate goal is to build a "cochlea-on-a-chip" bioelectric model in order to understand new ways to diagnose causes of hearing loss and to use this model to develop drugs to prevent or treat hearing loss.

Research Focus

Equipment

Cell culture

Electrophysiological recording techniques

Fluorescence microscopy

Immunohistochemistry

Microscopy

Whole cell patch clamp