Dr. Orhan Kerim Inci | Lysosomal Storage Disorder | Best Researcher Award
Postdoctoral Researcher at Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey
Orhan Kerim İnci is a postdoctoral researcher in molecular biology with a concentrated focus on lysosomal storage disorders, particularly Tay–Sachs disease. He is currently based at the Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey, where he has developed a strong foundation in neurodegenerative disease research, gene therapy, and metabolic interventions. His scientific endeavors blend experimental rigor with therapeutic innovation, contributing significantly to translational biomedical research.
Profile
Education
Orhan Kerim İnci holds a robust academic background in molecular biology and genetics. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the Izmir Institute of Technology in 2018, maintaining a commendable GPA of 3.00/4.00. He advanced to doctoral studies at the same institution, completing a Ph.D. in 2024 with a GPA of 3.64/4.00. His doctoral thesis explored the “Investigation of the Effects of Ketogenic Diet Therapy in a Mouse Model of GM2 Gangliosidosis,” reflecting a strong intersection of dietary therapy and genetic disease research. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher, extending his expertise into genome editing applications for human diseases.
Experience
İnci’s academic journey is marked by hands-on experience in both national and international research environments. He managed a TÜBİTAK 1002-funded project examining the impact of combined ketogenic and anti-inflammatory treatments on autophagy mechanisms. As a Ph.D. candidate, he was involved in multiple COST Action initiatives and participated in international collaborations, including a visiting research stint in Colombia. These opportunities allowed him to master diverse molecular biology techniques, manage knockout mouse models, and design enzyme replacement and CRISPR-based therapies. His conference contributions and poster presentations at major European genetics and lysosome conferences underline his active engagement in the global scientific community.
Research Interest
İnci’s research interests lie at the confluence of molecular genetics, neurodegeneration, lysosomal biology, and therapeutic intervention. He is particularly focused on GM2 gangliosidosis, exploring innovative treatments like ketogenic diet modulation, gene silencing, and enzyme replacement strategies. His work frequently investigates molecular mechanisms such as autophagy and inflammation, using sophisticated techniques like CRISPR-nCas9, AAV-mediated delivery, and behavioral phenotyping in animal models. His vision integrates nutrition, molecular therapy, and genetic modulation to develop meaningful interventions for rare diseases.
Award
Throughout his academic career, İnci has received numerous scholarships and research fellowships, which reflect both his merit and the significance of his research focus. These include the TÜBİTAK 1001 and 2211A Ph.D. scholarships, the prestigious YÖK 100/2000 Ph.D. Fellowship, and international travel grants awarded by FEBS and ESHG for conference presentations. These honors not only funded his studies but also enabled him to build a comprehensive academic profile and contribute to international research dialogues.
Publication
Orhan Kerim İnci has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in esteemed journals, often cited in subsequent research addressing lysosomal disorders. His most recent publication, “Yeast-Produced Human Recombinant Lysosomal β-Hexosaminidase Efficiently Rescues GM2 Ganglioside Accumulation in Tay–Sachs Disease” (2025, Journal of Personalized Medicine), demonstrates a pivotal therapeutic approach using recombinant enzymes. In the same year, he published “Combined Treatment of Ketogenic Diet and Propagermanium Reduces Neuroinflammation in Tay-Sachs Disease Mouse Model” in Metabolic Brain Disease. In 2024, he contributed to “Gangliosides as Therapeutic Targets for Neurodegenerative Diseases” in Journal of Lipids, and “Silencing of B4Galnt1 Gene Normalizes Lysosomal Pathology in Cell Models of Tay-Sachs Disease” in Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy. His 2023 article, “Molecular Trojan Horses for Treating Lysosomal Storage Diseases” in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, reflects his focus on drug delivery strategies. Earlier contributions include “Analysis of Brain Lipids in the Early-Onset Tay-Sachs Disease Mouse Model” (2022, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences) and “Sialidase neu4 deficiency is associated with neuroinflammation in mice” (2021, Glycoconjugate Journal). These works have been cited in studies related to lipid metabolism, lysosomal therapy, and neurodegeneration, underscoring their scholarly impact.
Conclusion
Orhan Kerim İnci exemplifies a new generation of scientists committed to decoding complex genetic diseases through translational research. His comprehensive academic training, targeted research projects, and scientific contributions have positioned him as a promising expert in lysosomal biology and gene therapy. With a keen interest in combining nutrition-based interventions with molecular techniques, İnci continues to advance the therapeutic frontier for rare neurological diseases.