Study location	Türkiye, Istanbul
Type	Doctoral, full-time
Study language	English
Awards	PhD
Course code	428

Entry qualification

Undergraduate diploma (or higher) Students with a BS/MS degree in Basic Sciences (biology, chemistry, molecular biology and genetics, physics, mathematics, psychology, etc) or Health Sciences (dentistry, veterinary medicine, medical biology, physical therapy and rehabilitation, nutrition and dietetics, nursing, etc) or MD degree are eligible to apply. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Turkish.

Language requirements	English

Other requirements

At least 3 reference(s) must be provided. - You should aim to provide 3 academic references but employer references are also accepted - Referees can’t upload existing reference letters, they will be asked to complete a short form to provide a reference - You should include your referees name, position and institutional email address in the relevant section of the form - Referees will then receive an automatic email asking them to click on a link and provide their reference - If your referee can’t find this email please ask them to check their spam/junk/promotions folder - You can resend an invite to your referees to submit their reference by clicking on the “Resend invitation button” A motivation letter must be added to your application. One of the most important parts of your application is the motivation letter. Its goal is to introduce your background and support your application. In short, its goal is to answer the question: “Why are you a suitable candidate?” Write in a clear and logical manner: remember, the way you write and present yourself says a lot about you. Do not plagiarize as this will mean automatic disqualification from the evaluation process. Some points that may help you answer this question: Why have I chosen to apply to this programme? What do I expect to gain from my studies? Why does my academic and personal background make me a suitable candidate for this programme and for Koç University (potential for success, demonstrated qualities and skills)? Why is Koç University a good choice for me as an individual? Click here to check our How to write a strong Motivation Letter or Statement of Purpose video on YouTube. Application requirements: 3 Recommendation Letters English Language Proficiency: - TOEFL (for international applicants), - YDS / e-YDS or YÖKDİL (for Turkish applicants) Standardized tests: - GRE (for International applicants) - ALES (for Turkish applicants) Transcripts Statement of Purpose Please note that GRE and TOEFL requirements can’t be waived for any applicants even if they did their whole previous education in English. Click here for details.

More information	gshs.ku.edu.tr/en  gshs.ku.edu.tr/..physiology-ms-and-phd/phd  gshs.ku.edu.tr/..y-ms-and-phd/program-fees  gshs.ku.edu.tr/..s-and-phd/faculty-members  gshs.ku.edu.tr/..issions/application-dates  gshs.ku.edu.tr/..sions/application-process

Overview

The gap in the literature in neuromuscular physiology

Since it is difficult to study the functions of the neuromuscular system in human subjects, most of our knowledge comes from studies on experimental animals. However, since the animals are usually anesthetized or decerebrated in these experiments, and since such reduction processes are known to alter the synaptic interactions, it is not possible to directly apply these findings to human subjects. Therefore, details of the synaptic interactions between sensory or cortical afferents and motoneurons, the process of feedback from the peripheral receptors to the motoneurons, the pathways used in these processes, and conditions where such synaptic interactions are modulated are still unknown in human subjects. Because of the fact that we do not yet understand the functions of the neuromuscular system in human subjects, we cannot develop knowledge-based methods for diagnosing and treating neuromuscular dysfunctions. The main aim of this project, therefore, is to investigate some of the functions of the human neuromuscular system.

Current projects in the lab aim to:

1. Discover the EMG interference in EEG;
2. Discover the functions of the Renshaw circuitry in human motor control;
3. Discover the physiology of the vibration-induced reflex responses;
4. Investigate the cortically evoked silent period using frequency analysis;
5. Study the ALS effect on motor neurons of humans and experimental animals.

Methods and Design:

To achieve the above-mentioned goals, we stimulate either the peripheral receptors using mechanical or electrical means or the motor cortex using a transcranial magnetic stimulator. The response of skeletal muscles to such stimuli is recorded using surface and intramuscular electromyography electrodes to estimate the properties of the neuronal circuitries, the number of synapses, and the properties of the synaptic potentials.

Significance:

With these studies, we are aiming to investigate the connections between peripheral receptors/motor cortex and motoneurons in human volunteers using our error-free new method of frequency analysis. With the new method, we aim to find out which of the ‘previously-establish’ pathways are genuine and which are erroneous. Using the new method, we are also likely to discover previously unknown neuronal pathways that could not have been illustrated using the classical methods. Furthermore, we will also find out whether or not synapses in neuronal pathways are modulated during movement. This study will also set the norm for future human reflex studies and change some of the current beliefs on reflex connections. Since reflexes are used to probe the human neuromuscular system and to estimate synaptic potentials, this information will be used to form the wiring diagram of the human nervous system. Therefore, these studies will establish the correct circuitries and will help understand the operation of the neuromuscular system so that this information can be utilized in clinical neurology to develop knowledge-based methods for diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular dysfunctions. This knowledge can also be used to develop feedback-controlled artificial limbs for spinal injury patients.

Programme structure

The Ph.D. program is a full-time, course-based, 4-5 year doctoral program with a Ph.D. qualifier exam and a doctoral thesis (dissertation) requirement supervised by a faculty member.