Assoc. Prof. Dr. Halil İbrahim GÜLER | MD Simulations | Best Researcher Award 

Published on by Computational Biologists

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Halil İbrahim GÜLER | MD Simulations | Best Researcher Award 

Karadeniz Technical University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Halil İbrahim Güler is a distinguished molecular biologist and geneticist whose research unites enzymology, proteomics, bioinformatics, and microbial genetics. A graduate of Sivas Cumhuriyet University and Karadeniz Technical University (KTÜ), where he also earned his Ph.D., Güler’s early studies on Thermus plasmids laid the foundation for his focus on microbial adaptation and enzyme mechanisms. Currently serving as Associate Professor in KTÜ’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, he leads innovative research on microbial enzymes—particularly β-glucosidases—and designs biocatalysts for industrial and medical applications. Using structural modeling, molecular docking, and dynamics simulations, he explores enzyme-ligand interactions and develops compounds with antitumor, antidiabetic, and anti-Alzheimer potential. His prolific publications highlight contributions to biocatalyst design, protein stability, and natural product biosynthesis. As an educator and mentor, he teaches courses in Bioinformatics, Microbial Ecology, and Gene Manipulation, fostering data-driven and experimental proficiency among students. His administrative roles and participation in research committees reflect his dedication to institutional growth and scientific collaboration. Through his academic leadership and interdisciplinary research, Güler continues to advance molecular genetics and biotechnology in Turkey and beyond.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar 

Publications

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor assessments of sulfonamide-1,2,4-triazole compounds with EGFR inhibitory potential: DFT calculation, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and MM/PBSA approaches. (2026). Journal of Molecular Structure.

Comparison of active site mutations at subsite +2 of Anoxybacillus ayderensis A9 β-glucosidase for hydrolysis of pNPG and polydatin. (2025). BMC Biotechnology.

New methyl/benzyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-one derivatives: Synthesis, characterization (IR, NMR), antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and molecular docking study. (2025). Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology.

Fluorobenzylidene-1,2,4-triazol-3-one derivatives: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity, and molecular docking study. (2025). Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry.

Biochemical characterization of a novel, glucose-tolerant β-glucosidase from Jiangella ureilytica KC603, and determination of resveratrol production capacity from polydatin.

Ms. Jingfang Zhang | Systems Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Computational Biologists

Ms. Jingfang Zhang | Systems Biology | Best Researcher Award

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine | China

Dr. Jingfang Zhang, Associate Professor at the School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, is a distinguished researcher in molecular biology, cancer biology, and genome editing. Her work focuses on understanding cellular behavior and disease mechanisms through advanced genetic and pharmacological tools. With expertise in cancer biology and stem cell research, she integrates stem cell biology, pharmacology, and gene regulation. Dr. Zhang has pioneered drug-inducible and multimode CRISPR/Cas systems, including the HIT-Cas9 platform, enabling precise control of gene expression and genome editing. Her groundbreaking innovations have expanded the versatility and safety of genome-editing technologies for therapeutic applications. Her research, published in Nucleic Acids Research, Blood, and Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids, advances epigenetics and therapeutic applications. She has also provided key insights into hematologic malignancies and acute myeloid leukemia. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, she fosters interdisciplinary research and mentors young scientists. Dr. Zhang’s projects bridge molecular biology and translational medicine, opening new avenues for targeted therapies. Her innovations in genome editing and cellular reprogramming are shaping precision medicine, regenerative therapeutics, and the future of molecular life sciences.

Profile: Orcid 

Publications

Wang, Y., Hu, J., & Zhang, J. (2025). Evaluation of abnormal growth-related genes of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by combining CRISPR/Cas9 technology with cell counting. Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE, (219).

Zhang, J., Chen, L., Zhang, J., & Wang, Y. (2019). Drug inducible CRISPR/Cas systems. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 17, 1171–1177.

Zhao, C., Zhao, Y., Zhang, J., Lu, J., Chen, L., Zhang, Y., Ying, Y., Xu, J., Wei, S., & Wang, Y. (2018). HIT-Cas9: A CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing device under tight and effective drug control. Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids, 13, 208–219.

Lu, J., Zhao, C., Zhao, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., Chen, L., Han, Q., Ying, Y., Peng, S., Ai, R., et al. (2018). Multimode drug inducible CRISPR/Cas9 devices for transcriptional activation and genome editing. Nucleic Acids Research, 46(5), e25.

Zhang, J., Kong, G., Rajagopalan, A., Lu, L., Song, J., Hussaini, M., Zhang, X., Ranheim, E. A., Liu, Y., Wang, J., et al. (2016). p53-/- synergizes with enhanced NrasG12D signaling to transform megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood, 129(3), 358–370.