Research into the silent dynamics of cells
Even when nothing seems to happen, our cells are constantly at work. They stay alive, respond and adapt to their environment and keep everything running. That continuous activity is exactly what fascinates Birol Cabukusta, assistant professor at the Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I).
Understanding how cells adapt lies at the heart of his research. “They have to constantly adjust to their environment,” he explains. “Even when there isn’t much going on, they still have to function.”
Lipids as key players
Birol studies cell biology, with a specific focus on lipids, fat molecules that are essential for how cells function. In particular, he looks at sphingolipids, a type of lipid that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of cells. “These molecules help define the boundary between the inside and outside of a cell,” he explains. “Without them, that boundary becomes weaker.” What interests him most is not just their presence, but how cells actively regulate these molecules. By adjusting their lipid composition, cells can respond to changes in their environment. Understanding this process is key to understanding how cells function at a fundamental level.
Curiosity
Birol is driven by curiosity. “The first thing we want to do is open things up and see how they work,” he says. But his research also raises questions that extend beyond the lab. Disruptions in lipid balance, particularly in the brain, are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. One of the questions his team is exploring is whether these lipid levels can be influenced in a way that could help protect against such diseases. “We don’t know yet if that’s possible,” he says, “but that’s what we want to find out.” In current projects, his group studies how lipid metabolism is affected in ALS using lab-grown neurons, and whether lipid metabolism can be targeted against the disease.
A growing research group
Birol joined Maastricht University after studying in Turkey, the Netherlands and Germany, and working in Leiden. The move gave him the opportunity to start his own research group, something he had been working towards for a long time. His research group currently consists of a number of researchers, including a PhD candidate, a researcher and a technician, as well as internship students. Together, they work in the lab on experiments and data analysis, while Birol supervises the overall direction the research.
At M4I, Birol has access to advanced technologies such as mass spectrometry, which allow researchers to analyse proteins, lipids and other molecules in great detail. “We have a lot of ‘cool toys’ here,” he says. These tools offer unique possibilities to study cells at a molecular level, capabilities not available everywhere. A typical week is mostly dedicated to research. “This can range from hands-on lab work and setting up experiments to discussing results and guiding team members. Research can be many things,” he adds.
I want to create an environment where people are comfortable and can find the best version of themselves
Trial and error
That process does not always go smoothly. Experiments fail, materials break, and sometimes results are simply inconclusive. “When things don’t work, you move on the next day,” he says. “But when the results are inconclusive, that’s extremely frustrating.” At the same time, he highlights how quickly his team was able to get up and running in Maastricht. Within a matter of weeks, they had set up their lab and started experiments, a process that is not always straightforward when moving research to a new environment.
Building an environment
Alongside the scientific work, Birol is focused on building a supportive research environment. As a group leader, he fosters a collaborative team culture. “I want to create an environment where people are comfortable and can find the best version of themselves,” he says. “Whether team members stay in academia or pursue a different career path is not the main concern. What matters is that they develop their skills and interests along the way.” At the same time, Birol is still growing into his role. Starting his own group is a new phase, and one he is still getting used to.
Text: Fleur Habers
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