Tolun, Gokhan

Overview

After receiving my Ph.D. and completing my postdoctoral training in the USA, I have joined UOW in December 2017 as an electron microscopy specialist, including cryo-EM.

Top Publications

Year	Title
2016	Paired octamer rings of retinoschisin suggest a junctional model for cell-cell adhesion in the retina Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2013	Details of ssDNA annealing revealed by an HSV-1 ICP8-ssDNA binary complex Published in Nucleic Acids Research

Research Overview

My main area of interest is studying bio-nano-machines carrying out processes involving nucleic acids, such as DNA recombination, replication, repair, and RNA transcription.

My multi-disciplinary research group utilizes
- Molecular imaging (Electron microscopy)
- Structural biology (cryo-EM)
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
In addition to the state-of-the-art cryo-EM, we also use the classical EM techniques such as shadow-casting (i.e., metal shadowing) and negative staining.

Available as Research Supervisor

Available for Collaborative Projects

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2020	Half a century of bacteriophage lambda recombinase: In vitro studies of lambda exonuclease and Red-beta annealase Published In IUBMB Life
2020	Molecular basis for RNA polymerase-dependent transcription complex recycling by the helicase-like motor protein HelD Published In Nature Communications
2016	Paired octamer rings of retinoschisin suggest a junctional model for cell-cell adhesion in the retina Published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2016	Retinoschisin at 4 Å Resolution from cryo-EM: A Junctional Model of Back-to-Back Octamers for Adhesion in the Retina Published In Biophysical Journal
2014	Structural basis of hAT transposon end recognition by hermes, an octameric dna transposase from musca domestica Published In Cell
2013	Details of ssDNA annealing revealed by an HSV-1 ICP8-ssDNA binary complex Published In Nucleic Acids Research
2013	Nucleic Acid Content of HBV Capsids Depends on its CTD-Phosphorylation State Published In Microscopy and Microanalysis
2012	The NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase activity of SIRT1 is regulated by its oligomeric status Published In Scientific Reports
2011	E. coli DNA replication in the absence of free β clamps Published In The EMBO Journal
2010	TbPIF1, a Trypanosoma brucei mitochondrial DNA helicase, is essential for kinetoplast minicircle replication Published In Journal of Biological Chemistry
2010	The killing of African trypanosomes by ethidium bromide Published In PLoS Pathogens
2009	Concerted Loading of Mcm2-7 Double Hexamers around DNA during DNA Replication Origin Licensing Published In Cell
2008	The Werner syndrome protein binds replication fork and Holliday junction DNAs as an oligomer Published In Journal of Biological Chemistry
2003	A real-time DNase assay (ReDA) based on PicoGreen fluorescence. Published In Nucleic acids research
2003	Schizosacchromyces pombe Dpb2 binds to origin DNA early in S phase and is required for chromosomal DNA replication Published In Molecular Biology of the Cell

Presentations

Invited Talk
- Cryo-EM Structure of the Human Retinal Protein Retinoschisin, Speaker and Organiser, CryOZ Symposium 2019
- Cryo-EM Studies of Macromolecular Complexes, Speaker, Bugs by the Beach 2 2018
- Resolution Revolution in Cryo-EM and Existing Challenges, Keynote Speaker, Mathematical Modelling in Biology Workshop 2018
Presentation
- Cryo-EM Studies of Machines on Genes: DNA Replication and Recombination Complexes, Poster presenter, 44th Lorne Conference on Protein Structure and Function 2019
- Studying EATR Complexes and Components that Catalyse SSA DNA Recombination by Using the Molecular Horizons Cryo-EM Facilities, Speaker, IMC19 (19th International Microscopy Congress) 2018

Featured In

Investigator On

Year	Title
2020 - 2022	Revealing the molecular mechanistic details of viral DNA recombination towards developing novel anti-viral drugs Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Ideas Grant
	Equipment Funding Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Equipment Grant
	High-throughput camera system for biological cryo-electron microscopy Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF)
	Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects

Other Research Activities

SMAH Target Project Grant, University of Wollongong Group Leader 2019
SMAH Project Start-Up Grant Group leader 2018

Available as Research Supervisor

Potential Supervision Topics

Revealing the molecular mechanistic details of single-strand DNA homologous recombination in double-strand DNA viruses via structural biology (cryo-EM), biochemistry and molecular imaging (electron microscopy)

Studying the molecular mechanisms of bacterial DNA replication via structural biology (cryo-EM) and molecular imaging (electron microscopy)

Understanding the structural details of bacterial transcription

Teaching Activities

BNAN101: Introduction to Bionanotechnology Coordinator and lecturer 2021 -
CHEM470/944: Selected Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Lecturer 2021 -
SCIP200: Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Studies Supervisor 2020 -
SCIP300: Advanced Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Project Supervisor 2020 -
CHEM325: Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules Lecturer 2019 -
CHEM401 Supervisor 2019 -
Thermo-Fisher Scientific Cryo-EM Sample Preparation Workshop Instructor 2019 -
BIOL215: Introductory Genetics Lecturer 2018 -
BIOL420 Co-supervisor 2018 -
CHEM325: Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules Instructor 2018 -
CHEM480 Supervisor 2018 -
CHEM218 Co-supervisor 2018 - 2019

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy	Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Single-strand Annealing Homologous DNA Recombination in Herpes Viruses, by cryo-EM	Newing, Timothy
Doctor of Philosophy	Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Single-strand Annealing Homologous DNA Recombination in Bacteriophages, by cryo-EM	Mantri, Bhanu
Doctor of Philosophy	Structural Determination of Nucleic Acid-binding Proteins using Cryogenic Electron Microscopy	Nicholls, Jordan

Reviewer Of

Nature Communications (Journal) 2019 -

Organizer Of Event

CryOZ Symposium 2018 - 2019

Professional Service Activities

Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine Workshop Invited Keynote Speaker 2018 -

Outreach And Community Service Activities

ABC Illawarra Radio Interviewee 2019
University of Wollongong Open Day Speaker 2019
School of Chemistry Open Day Speaker 2018

Education And Training

National Institutes of Health (NIH), MD, USA, NIAMS and NCI 2012 - 2017
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center 2008 - 2012

Credentials

Awards And Honors

Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) competition, conferred by National Institues of Health, USA, 2016
Excellent research poster award, conferred by FASEB SRC, Machines on Genes: Nucleic Acid Enzymes Meeting, 2014
BioArt: Scientific Image & Video Competition, conferred by FASEB, 2014
Mary Poston Award, conferred by American Society for Microbiology, North Carolina Branch, 2010
Gisela Mosig Graduate Student Research Award, conferred by American Society for Microbiology, 2006
Betty Schultz Prize, conferred by University of Miami, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dept., 2001

Teaching Overview

CHEM325 and BIOL215, UOW, School of Chemistry

Teaching Assistant, METU, Department of Biology, Ankara, Turkey
1995-1996       Introduction to Biometry (Biostatistics) Computer Laboratory
1996-1997       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Biology Program
1997-1998       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Biology Program
1998-1999       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Mol. Biol. Program
1998-1999       Microbiology Laboratory for Biology Program
1999-2000       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Biology Program
1999-2000       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Mol. Biol. Program

Keywords

Cryo-EM
Biochemistry
DNA recombination
Electron Microscopy
Molecular imaging

Full Name

Dr Gökhan Tolun

Geographic Location

Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Orcid Id

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6166-9451 (confirmed)

Web Of Science Researcher Id

D-1971-2012

Scopus Id

6508131645

Top Publications

Year	Title
2016	Paired octamer rings of retinoschisin suggest a junctional model for cell-cell adhesion in the retina Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2013	Details of ssDNA annealing revealed by an HSV-1 ICP8-ssDNA binary complex Published in Nucleic Acids Research

Research Overview

My main area of interest is studying bio-nano-machines carrying out processes involving nucleic acids, such as DNA recombination, replication, repair, and RNA transcription.

My multi-disciplinary research group utilizes
- Molecular imaging (Electron microscopy)
- Structural biology (cryo-EM)
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
In addition to the state-of-the-art cryo-EM, we also use the classical EM techniques such as shadow-casting (i.e., metal shadowing) and negative staining.

Member Of

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute 2018 -
Molecular Horizons 2018 -
School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Senior Lecturer 2017 -

Has Collaborator

Dixon, Nicholas Professor
Oakley, Aaron A/Prof.
Wilson, Mark Senior Professor

Attended Event

Bugs by the Beach 2 2018 -
CRYOZ 2018 -
CryOZ Symposium 2019 -
IMC19 2018 -

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2020	Half a century of bacteriophage lambda recombinase: In vitro studies of lambda exonuclease and Red-beta annealase Published In IUBMB Life
2020	Molecular basis for RNA polymerase-dependent transcription complex recycling by the helicase-like motor protein HelD Published In Nature Communications
2016	Paired octamer rings of retinoschisin suggest a junctional model for cell-cell adhesion in the retina Published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
2016	Retinoschisin at 4 Å Resolution from cryo-EM: A Junctional Model of Back-to-Back Octamers for Adhesion in the Retina Published In Biophysical Journal
2014	Structural basis of hAT transposon end recognition by hermes, an octameric dna transposase from musca domestica Published In Cell
2013	Details of ssDNA annealing revealed by an HSV-1 ICP8-ssDNA binary complex Published In Nucleic Acids Research
2013	Nucleic Acid Content of HBV Capsids Depends on its CTD-Phosphorylation State Published In Microscopy and Microanalysis
2012	The NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase activity of SIRT1 is regulated by its oligomeric status Published In Scientific Reports
2011	E. coli DNA replication in the absence of free β clamps Published In The EMBO Journal
2010	TbPIF1, a Trypanosoma brucei mitochondrial DNA helicase, is essential for kinetoplast minicircle replication Published In Journal of Biological Chemistry
2010	The killing of African trypanosomes by ethidium bromide Published In PLoS Pathogens
2009	Concerted Loading of Mcm2-7 Double Hexamers around DNA during DNA Replication Origin Licensing Published In Cell
2008	The Werner syndrome protein binds replication fork and Holliday junction DNAs as an oligomer Published In Journal of Biological Chemistry
2003	A real-time DNase assay (ReDA) based on PicoGreen fluorescence. Published In Nucleic acids research
2003	Schizosacchromyces pombe Dpb2 binds to origin DNA early in S phase and is required for chromosomal DNA replication Published In Molecular Biology of the Cell

Presentations

Invited Talk
- Cryo-EM Structure of the Human Retinal Protein Retinoschisin, Speaker and Organiser, CryOZ Symposium 2019
- Cryo-EM Studies of Macromolecular Complexes, Speaker, Bugs by the Beach 2 2018
- Resolution Revolution in Cryo-EM and Existing Challenges, Keynote Speaker, Mathematical Modelling in Biology Workshop 2018
Presentation
- Cryo-EM Studies of Machines on Genes: DNA Replication and Recombination Complexes, Poster presenter, 44th Lorne Conference on Protein Structure and Function 2019
- Studying EATR Complexes and Components that Catalyse SSA DNA Recombination by Using the Molecular Horizons Cryo-EM Facilities, Speaker, IMC19 (19th International Microscopy Congress) 2018

Featured In

Investigator On

Year	Title
2020 - 2022	Revealing the molecular mechanistic details of viral DNA recombination towards developing novel anti-viral drugs Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Ideas Grant
	Equipment Funding Awarded by: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Funding Scheme: Equipment Grant
	High-throughput camera system for biological cryo-electron microscopy Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF)
	Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects

Other Research Activities

SMAH Target Project Grant, University of Wollongong Group Leader 2019
SMAH Project Start-Up Grant Group leader 2018

Potential Supervision Topics

Revealing the molecular mechanistic details of single-strand DNA homologous recombination in double-strand DNA viruses via structural biology (cryo-EM), biochemistry and molecular imaging (electron microscopy)

Studying the molecular mechanisms of bacterial DNA replication via structural biology (cryo-EM) and molecular imaging (electron microscopy)

Understanding the structural details of bacterial transcription

Teaching Activities

BNAN101: Introduction to Bionanotechnology Coordinator and lecturer 2021 -
CHEM470/944: Selected Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Lecturer 2021 -
SCIP200: Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Studies Supervisor 2020 -
SCIP300: Advanced Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Project Supervisor 2020 -
CHEM325: Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules Lecturer 2019 -
CHEM401 Supervisor 2019 -
Thermo-Fisher Scientific Cryo-EM Sample Preparation Workshop Instructor 2019 -
BIOL215: Introductory Genetics Lecturer 2018 -
BIOL420 Co-supervisor 2018 -
CHEM325: Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules Instructor 2018 -
CHEM480 Supervisor 2018 -
CHEM218 Co-supervisor 2018 - 2019

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy	Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Single-strand Annealing Homologous DNA Recombination in Herpes Viruses, by cryo-EM	Newing, Timothy
Doctor of Philosophy	Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Single-strand Annealing Homologous DNA Recombination in Bacteriophages, by cryo-EM	Mantri, Bhanu
Doctor of Philosophy	Structural Determination of Nucleic Acid-binding Proteins using Cryogenic Electron Microscopy	Nicholls, Jordan

Reviewer Of

Nature Communications (Journal) 2019 -

Organizer Of Event

CryOZ Symposium 2018 - 2019

Professional Service Activities

Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine Workshop Invited Keynote Speaker 2018 -

Outreach And Community Service Activities

ABC Illawarra Radio Interviewee 2019
University of Wollongong Open Day Speaker 2019
School of Chemistry Open Day Speaker 2018

Education And Training

National Institutes of Health (NIH), MD, USA, NIAMS and NCI 2012 - 2017
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center 2008 - 2012

Credentials

Awards And Honors

Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) competition, conferred by National Institues of Health, USA, 2016
Excellent research poster award, conferred by FASEB SRC, Machines on Genes: Nucleic Acid Enzymes Meeting, 2014
BioArt: Scientific Image & Video Competition, conferred by FASEB, 2014
Mary Poston Award, conferred by American Society for Microbiology, North Carolina Branch, 2010
Gisela Mosig Graduate Student Research Award, conferred by American Society for Microbiology, 2006
Betty Schultz Prize, conferred by University of Miami, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dept., 2001

Teaching Overview

CHEM325 and BIOL215, UOW, School of Chemistry

Teaching Assistant, METU, Department of Biology, Ankara, Turkey
1995-1996       Introduction to Biometry (Biostatistics) Computer Laboratory
1996-1997       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Biology Program
1997-1998       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Biology Program
1998-1999       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Mol. Biol. Program
1998-1999       Microbiology Laboratory for Biology Program
1999-2000       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Biology Program
1999-2000       Molecular Genetics Laboratory for Mol. Biol. Program

Keywords

Cryo-EM
Biochemistry
DNA recombination
Electron Microscopy
Molecular imaging

Full Name

Dr Gökhan Tolun

Geographic Location

Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Orcid Id

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6166-9451 (confirmed)

Web Of Science Researcher Id

D-1971-2012

Scopus Id

6508131645

Overview

Overview

Top Publications

Research Overview

Available as Research Supervisor

Affiliation

Available for Collaborative Projects

Member Of

Has Collaborator

Attended Event

Publications

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Presentations

Invited Talk

Presentation

Featured In

Funding

Investigator On

Other Research Activities

Supervision

Available as Research Supervisor

Potential Supervision Topics

Teaching Activities

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Service

Reviewer Of

Organizer Of Event

Professional Service Activities

Outreach And Community Service Activities

Background

Education And Training

Credentials

Awards And Honors

Teaching Overview

Keywords

Contact

Full Name

Geographic Location

Identity

Orcid Id

Web Of Science Researcher Id

Scopus Id

Overview

Top Publications

Research Overview

Affiliation

Member Of

Has Collaborator

Attended Event

Publications

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Presentations

Invited Talk

Presentation

Featured In

Funding

Investigator On

Other Research Activities

Supervision

Potential Supervision Topics

Teaching Activities

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Service

Reviewer Of

Organizer Of Event

Professional Service Activities

Outreach And Community Service Activities

Background

Education And Training

Credentials

Awards And Honors

Teaching Overview

Keywords

Contact

Full Name

Geographic Location