Begum Horuluoglu
Assistant professor
Understanding molecular mechanisms that lead to an autoimmune disease called myositis with a focus on T cells
About me
2023- : Assistant Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
2019 -2023 :Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
2017-2019 : Visiting Fellow, Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD
2014-2019: PhD Candidate, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkiye
2012-2014: MSc Student, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkiye
Research description
Myositis is a rare autoimmune disease with no available cure. Current treatment approaches for patients with myositis include steroids and a combination of immunosuppressive drugs. Although the 5-year survival in patients overall has improved upon the availability of current treatment approaches, interstitial lung disease is one of the main causes of death in these patients. Moreover, upon stopping treatment patients often relapse. Thus, we need to have a better understanding of the disease mechanism in order to develop targeted treatment approaches for patients. Importance of T cells has been shown in anti-Jo1 positive patients by their presence at sites of inflammation such as lung and muscle. However, a deep characterization of these cells is missing in order to develop targeted treatment approaches.The research focus of Ingrid Lundbergs' group is to increase the understanding these cells in the disease pathogenesis by using clinical, wet-lab and bioinformatic approaches. To achieve this aim we work in close collaboration with the rheumatology clinic, T cells experts (Prof Vivianne Malmström and Assoc Prof Karine Chemin) and bioinformatic experts (Assis Prof Lina Marcela Diaz Gallo=
Teaching portfolio
2023 : Basic Inflammation 2705, Course co-organizer, KI, Stockholm, Sweden
2019-2020 :Introduction to Basic Immunology, Mentor, KI, Stockholm, Sweden
2018 :Journal Club for Summer Students, NCI, NIH, Frederick, USA
2012-2017 :Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
2008-2009 : Student Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
Education
2019: PhD, Molecular Biology and Genetics,Bilkent University, Turkiye & Immunology, NCI, NIH,USA
2014: MSc, Molecular Biology and Genetics,Bilkent University,Turkiye
2012: BS, Chemistry, Istanbul Technical University, Turkiye