Overview

Our research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression, with particular emphasis on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and breast cancer. We employ molecular and cellular biology approaches to investigate dysregulated signaling pathways, molecular biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets associated with disease initiation, progression, and metastasis. A major goal of our research is to translate molecular findings into clinically relevant biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Our main research topics are:

1. Molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Investigation of the molecular and cellular pathways involved in HCC initiation, progression, and metastasis, with a particular focus on mechanisms underlying tumor development and disease progression.
2. Identification and evaluation of novel anticancer agents: Investigation of candidate therapeutic compounds and their molecular mechanisms of action against HCC and breast cancer, with the aim of identifying potential strategies for cancer treatment.
3. Molecular biomarkers and diagnostic pathways in cancer: Identification and characterization of molecular pathways, genes, and regulatory molecules with potential applications in the diagnosis, prognosis, and molecular classification of HCC and breast cancer.
4. MicroRNAs and molecular biomarkers in chronic diseases: Investigation of microRNA expression profiles and their regulatory functions, with the aim of identifying circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic diseases.

Work Experience

• Assistant Professor

  2023 - Present

  Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bahçeşehir University, İstanbul/Turkey

• Assistant Professor

  2017 - 2023

  Department of Medical Biology, Yüksek İhtisas University, Ankara/Turkey

• Quality Control Manager

  2016 - 2017

  RTA Laboratories, İstanbul/Turkey

• Postdoctoral Fellow

  2015 - 2016

  Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Sabancı University, İstanbul/Turkey

• Research and Teaching Assistant

  2009 - 2014

  Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara/Turkey

Education

• PhD Degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics

  2009 - 2014

  Bilkent University, Ankara/Turkey

• BSc Degree in Biological Sciences

  2005 - 2009

  Middle East Technical University, Ankara/Turkey

• Visiting PhD Student

  2011 - 2013

  L’Institut Albert-Bonniot, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble/France

Articles

1. Çevik, D., Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Yonar, D. (2026). Assessment of the effectiveness of serum-infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate analysis methods for atherosclerosis diagnosis. Scientific Reports, 16, 4294.
2. Demircioğlu, A., & Çevik, D. (2025). Impact of heated tobacco products on lung cancer: The role of PARD3 and Hippo pathway dysregulation. Frontiers in Life Sciences and Related Technologies, 6(3), 192–200.
3. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2023). Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs associated with the regulation of breast cancer via in silico and in vitro methods. Cytotechnology, 75, 363–379 (2023)
4. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., Cevik, D., & Yilmaz, A. (2022). Expression patterns of miR-34a, miR-125b, miR-221 and antioxidant gene NRF2 in plasma samples of patients with atherosclerosis. Journal of Biosciences, 47(1), 1–12.
5. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2021). The Applications of Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) in Drug Development for Cancer Therapy. Current Analytical Chemistry, 17(8), 1074–1081.
6. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2021). Identification of miR-17, miR-21, miR-27a, miR-106b and miR-222 as endoplasmic reticulum stress-related potential biomarkers in circulation of patients with atherosclerosis. Molecular Biology Reports, 48(4), 3503–3513.
7. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., Panieri, E., Cevik, D., Suzen, S., & Saso, L. (2021). Therapeutic targeting of the NRF2 signaling pathway in cancer. Molecules, 26(5), 1417.
8. Panieri, E., Buha, A., Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., Cevik, D., Kouretas, D., Skaperda, Z., Tsatsakis, A., Wallace, D., & Suzen, S. (2020). Potential Applications of NRF2 Modulators in Cancer Therapy. Antioxidants, 9(193), 3.
9. Cevik, D., Yildiz, G., & Ozturk, M. (2015). Common telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in hepatocellular carcinomas from different geographical locations. World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG, 21(1), 311.
10. Ozen, C., Yildiz, G., Dagcan, A. T., Cevik, D., Ors, A., Keles, U., Topel, H., & Ozturk, M. (2013). Genetics and epigenetics of liver cancer. New Biotechnology, 30(4), 381–384.

Conference Presentations/ Proceedings

1. Çevik, D., Telkoparan Akıllılar, P., & Aksoy, Z. (2025). Evaluation of the effects of sulforaphane on hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.49th FEBS Congress, Istanbul, 05 Temmuz 2025, Poster Presentation.
2. Telkoparan Akıllılar, P., & Çevik, D. (2024). Innovative Strategies for Breast Cancer: Inhibiting IRE1 RNase Activity and Modulating miRNAs in Triple-Negative and Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Moleküler Biyoloji Derneği 9. Uluslararası Kongresi', İzmir, Türkiye, 12 - 14 Eylül 2024, ss.64, Poster Presentation
3. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2023). Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs associated with the regulation of breast cancer via in silico and in vitro methods. Cytotechnology, 75, 363–379 (2023)
4. Telkoparan-Akıllılar, P., Perktaş, N., & Çevik, D. (2023). Identification of miRNAs and Target Genes Dependent on the RNase Activity of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Sensor Protein IRE1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. 18th Medical Biology and Genetics Congress. Poster Presentation.
5. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2021). The Applications of Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) in Drug Development for Cancer Therapy. Current Analytical Chemistry, 17(8), 1074–1081.
6. Çevik, D. (2023). CENPA in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines. 3rd International Symposium of Scientific Research and Innovative Studies. Oral Presentation.
7. Telkoparan Akıllılar, P., & Çevik, D. (2022). Expression Changes of MicroRNAs as a Result of IRE1-RNase Domain Inhibition in MDA-MB-231 Cells. 8th International Congress of the Molecular Biology Association of Turkey., İstanbul, Türkiye, Poster Presentation.
8. Sümbül Hilmi Erdem, Akgöllü Ersin, Akkoç Yunus, Çevik, D., … Akkız Hikmet (2019). Otofajinin Kolorektal Kanserlerde Yeri ve Önemi [The Role and Importance of Autophagy in Colorectal Cancers]. 1st Hippocrates Congress of Medical and Health Sciences. Oral Presentation.
9. Çevik, D., Yıldız Gökhan, Alotaibi Hani, Öztürk Mehmet (2017). Farklı Coğrafik Bölgelerden Hepatoselüler Karsinomlarda Görülen Yaygın Telomeraz Revers Transkriptaz Promotör Mutasyonları XV. National Congress of Medical Biology and Genetics. Poster Presentation.
10. Çevik, D., Yıldız Gökhan, Alotaibi Hani, Öztürk Mehmet (2017). IFN-α-STAT1 Pathway Regulates TERT Expression in TERT Promoter Mutant HCC Cell Lines. 5th International Congress of the Molecular Biology Association. Poster Presentation.
11. Sümbül Hilmi, Akgöllü Ersin, Akkoç Yunus, Çevik, D.,…..Akkız Hikmet (2015). The Role of Autophagy in Colorectal Carcinogenesis]. 32nd National Gastroenterology Week. Full-Text Oral Presentation.
12. Dündar Oya, Kutlu Funda, Çevik, D., Özen Çiğdem, Öztürk Mehmet (2014). Investigation of Anticancer Potential and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Activity of Novel Piperazinyl Flavone Derivatives. 1st International Congress: From Drug Discovery to Drug Delivery. Oral Presentation.
13. Çevik, D., Yıldız Gökhan, Öztürk Mehmet (2014). Detection of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Promoter Mutations in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. EACR-Sponsored 2nd Anticancer Agents Congress. Poster Presentation.
14. Çevik, D., Kutlu Funda, Özen Çiğdem, Öztürk Mehmet, Dündar Oya (2013). Novel Piperazine-Containing Flavone Derivatives Have Anticancer Activities Evidenced by Histone Deacetylase Inhibition. Molecular Biology Association II. International Congress. Poster Presentation.

Book chapters

1. Çevik, D. (2023). “Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2 (NRF2) and Liver Diseases.” In Temel Tıp Bilimlerinde Güncel Konular. Livre de Lyon. ISBN: 978-2-38236-538-0. 
2. Çevik, D. (2023). “Sulforaphane and Cancer.” In Güncel Tıbbi Biyoloji ve Genetik Çalışmaları IV. Akademisyen Publishing. 
3. Çevik, D. (2020). “Epidemiology, Etiology and Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.” In Güncel Fen Bilimleri Araştırmaları. Akademisyen Publishing. ISBN: 978-605-258-877-2.

Funding

• TÜBİTAK 3501 – Principal Investigator (2022–2026)

  Identification of the MicroRNA Network Regulated by Sulforaphane in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines and Functional Analysis of MicroRNAs and Their Target Genes Associated with Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

• TÜBİTAK 1001 – Researcher (2023–2026) 

  Investigation of Novel Biomarkers Affecting Mitochondrial Proteostasis in Incretin-Mediated Therapies

• TÜBİTAK 3501 – Researcher (2020–2023) 

  Investigation of MicroRNAs with Altered Expression Following Inhibition of the IRE1 RNase Domain and Their Target Genes in the MDA-MB-231 Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Line

• BAP – Researcher (2021–2022)

  Investigation of MicroRNAs with Altered Expression Following Inhibition of the IRE1 RNase Domain and Their Target Genes in the MDA-MB-231 Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Line

• BAP – Researcher (2018–2019): 

  Investigation of the Association Between Major MicroRNAs Known to Play a Role in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Atherosclerotic Plaque Development

Positions

No positions available

Contact

• dilek.cevik@bau.edu.tr