Prof. Dr. Elif Nur Fırat Karalar from Koç University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and her team have uncovered the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating a structure that plays a critical role in how cells communicate with their environment. Their new study has been published in Communications Biology.

The Cell’s Antennas: Primary Cilia
Found on the surface of almost every cell, the primary cilium is a tiny antenna-like projection that enables the cell to sense environmental signals. Through this structure, cells regulate essential processes such as growth, development, and adaptation. For healthy functioning, primary cilia must maintain the correct length, stability, and morphology.
The research highlights the role of DYRK kinases, a family of enzymes that regulate intracellular processes. The findings of Dr. Fırat Karalar and her team show that these kinases are essential for maintaining the length, stability, and shape of primary cilia. When DYRK kinases malfunction, cilia may become abnormally long, structurally deformed, or unstable. In such cases, the cell loses its ability to properly sense and process external signals.

Implications for Human Health
This discovery not only advances our understanding of fundamental cell biology but also provides new perspectives on health conditions linked to ciliary dysfunction, such as developmental disorders, kidney diseases, and vision loss. Moreover, it may open new avenues for addressing complex diseases in the future by uncovering potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

About Elif Nur Fırat Karalar
In 2010, Elif Nur Fırat Karalar earned her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, under the supervision of Prof. Matthew Welch, where she studied the mechanisms of actin cytoskeleton proteins involved in cell motility and neuronal differentiation. From 2010 to 2014, she conducted postdoctoral research with Prof. Tim Stearns at Stanford University, focusing on the characterization of centrosomes and primary cilia — cellular structures critical for development and disease, including cancer.
She joined Koç University in 2014, where she established the Cytoskeleton Research Laboratory in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. Her research has been supported by prestigious organizations such as the European Research Council (ERC), EMBO, ICGEB, Royal Society, L’Oréal-UNESCO, FABED, TÜBİTAK, and Koç University.
In recognition of her contributions to life sciences, she has received numerous honors, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, FABED Eser Tümen Research Award, BAGEP, TÜBA-GEBİP, IBG Science Medal, and the Sabri Ülker Science Award. She is also the only scientist from Türkiye selected for the EMBO Young Investigator Program (YIP) starting in 2020.
Elif Nur Fırat Karalar currently serves as the Director of the Office of Sponsored Projects within the Vice Presidency for Research and Innovation at Koç University.