Engin Ozkan, PhD

Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Committee on Neurobiology
Research and Scholarly Interests: Axon guidance, Cell surface receptors, Cryo-electron microscopy, Development, Protein structure, Protein-protein interactions, Synapse formation, X-ray crystallography
Websites: The Özkan Lab at the University of Chicago, Research Network Profile
Contact: eozkan@uchicago.edu
Graduate Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, PhD Program in Neurobiology, UChicago Biosciences

Email: eozkan@uchicago.edu

Cell surface receptor proteins and secreted protein ligands determine the specific connectivity of cells which drives the development of complex systems and organs in multicellular organisms. My laboratory is interested in the biochemistry, signaling activity and interaction networks of proteins that are required for the development and function of nervous systems. Specifically, we are working on deciphering protein-protein interaction networks of the extracellular space required for axon guidance and pruning and synapse formation and validation using high-throughout methods. We study these proteins using a multi-disciplinary approach, including crystallography, cellular signaling assays and protein engineering strategies coupled to genetic modifications in model organisms.

Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Postdoctoral - Biochemistry
2013

U. of Texas Southwestern Med Ctr
Dallas, TX
Ph.D. - Molecular Biophysics
2006

Bilkent University
Ankara, Turkey
B.S. - Molecular Biology & Genetics
1999

Nematode extracellular protein interactome expands connections between signaling pathways.
Nematode extracellular protein interactome expands connections between signaling pathways. Cell Genom. 2026 Feb 06; 101161.
PMID: 41653916

RoboA reinforces planarian stem cell fate through FoxA and Anosmin1a.
RoboA reinforces planarian stem cell fate through FoxA and Anosmin1a. Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 23.
PMID: 41577713

A trans-synaptic IgLON adhesion molecular complex directly contacts and clusters a nicotinic receptor.
A trans-synaptic IgLON adhesion molecular complex directly contacts and clusters a nicotinic receptor. Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 22; 17(1):1404.
PMID: 41571644

A dendritic guidance receptor functions in both ligand dependent and independent modes.
A dendritic guidance receptor functions in both ligand dependent and independent modes. PLoS Genet. 2025 Dec; 21(12):e1011942.
PMID: 41348823

Repulsions instruct synaptic partner matching in an olfactory circuit.
Repulsions instruct synaptic partner matching in an olfactory circuit. Nature. 2026 Jan; 649(8097):667-676.
PMID: 41261130

Structural basis and functional roles for Toll-like receptor binding to Latrophilin in C.?elegans development.
Structural basis and functional roles for Toll-like receptor binding to Latrophilin in C.?elegans development. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2025 Sep; 32(9):1683-1696.
PMID: 40588662

Structural studies of the IFN?4 receptor complex using cryoEM enabled by protein engineering.
Structural studies of the IFN?4 receptor complex using cryoEM enabled by protein engineering. Nat Commun. 2025 Jan 18; 16(1):818.
PMID: 39827213

Structural insights into the formation of repulsive netrin guidance complexes.
Structural insights into the formation of repulsive netrin guidance complexes. Sci Adv. 2024 Feb 16; 10(7):eadj8083.
PMID: 38363837

Neuronal Wiring Receptors Dprs and DIPs Are GPI Anchored and This Modification Contributes to Their Cell Surface Organization.
Neuronal Wiring Receptors Dprs and DIPs Are GPI Anchored and This Modification Contributes to Their Cell Surface Organization. eNeuro. 2024 Feb; 11(2).
PMID: 38233143

RAF1 deficiency causes a lethal syndrome that underscores RTK signaling during embryogenesis.
RAF1 deficiency causes a lethal syndrome that underscores RTK signaling during embryogenesis. EMBO Mol Med. 2023 05 08; 15(5):e17078.
PMID: 37066513

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Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in Neuroscience
2016

Klingenstein-Simons Neuroscience Fellow
2015