• Enver Cagri Izgu
  • Associate Professor
  • Research Synopsis: Molecular probes for bioimaging, biosensing, and diagnostics. Next-generation chemical architectures toward high-fidelity therapeutics. Functional lipid membranes and nucleic acids of both biological and non-biological nature. Design of artificial cells.
  • Phone: (848) 445-4361

 

 

Enver Cagri Izgu obtained a B.Sc. degree in chemistry from the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Turkiye, where he studied asymmetric organic catalysis with Ozdemir Dogan. Dr. Izgu then earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota under the tutelage of Thomas Hoye. During graduate research, he conducted the total synthesis of structurally complex and biologically potent natural plant products, developed synthetic methodologies, and designed chemical tools for NMR spectroscopic investigations of chiral carbinols. Intrigued by the grand challenge of understanding the emergence of cellular life, he undertook a postdoctoral position in the lab of Jack Szostak at Harvard University. There, he studied the biochemistry of genetic polymers and explored protocell models that display evolutionarily useful functions by harnessing the chemical and structural properties of small molecules, nucleic acids, peptides, and lipids.

 

Research Synopsis

Izgu Lab has an interdisciplinary research program with a major aim to advance biotechnology and medicine by combining synthetic organic chemistry, biology, and biomaterials.

Research projects involve the followings:

  • investigating cellular dysfunctions and redox signaling in real-time to advance the understanding of critical human pathologies
  • developing uniquely functional (macro)molecular systems to modulate gene expression
  • designing next-generation molecular probes and prodrugs for precision medicine

Group members have the opportunity to learn a wide array of lab techniques and carry out both basic and applied research in a highly collaborative environment.

 

Education

B.Sc., METU (Advisor: Ozdemir Dogan)

Ph.D., University of Minnesota (Advisor: Thomas R. Hoye)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital (Advisor: Jack W. Szostak)

 

Honors and Awards

Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, NIH – National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Interstellar Initiative, The New York Academy of Sciences and Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development

Trailblazer Award, NIH – National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

Charles and Johanna Busch Biomedical Grant Award

American Cancer Society, Institutional Research Grant Early Investigator Award

Arthur Klorfein Scholarship, Marine Biological Laboratory

NASA Travel Award, Gordon Research Conference for Origins of Life, Galveston

Highest Distinction, Ranked #1 in Chemistry, METU, Turkiye

Young Scientists Award (National Bachelors Scholarship Program), The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye

 

Links

Izgu Research Group

Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Rutgers Center for Lipid Research