Fatma Koc

Walsh Scholar

Research Interests

Dietary fibre
Microbiome
Sequencing
Short chain fatty acids

My research interests focus on the relationship between dietary fibre and the gut microbiome. I examine how various fibres and recipe modifications affect gut health using laboratory models. I investigate the mechanisms by which fibre positively impacts health by modulating gut microorganisms and analyse the effects of fibre-rich foods on gut bacteria and metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids. Through techniques such as DNA sequencing and gas chromatography, I analyse alterations in gut microbial communities and metabolites resulting from fibre intake.

Current Projects

Benefits of Dietary Fibre on Human Gut Microbiome and Metabolome

I am currently studying under the supervision of Prof. Catherine Stanton and Prof Paul Ross.

Education

2018 – MSc Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey

2017- Minor Degree Healthcare Management, Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey

2016- BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey

Professional Membership

American Society for Microbiology

Microbiology Society

Publications
Presentations

View Fatma's profile and publications on:

Orcid | Google Scholar

Magner, C., Jenkins, D., Koc, F., Tan, M.H., O’Toole, M., Boyle, J., Maguire, N., Duignan, S., Murphy, K., Ross, P. and Stanton, C. Protocol for a prospective cohort study exploring the gut microbiota of infants with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (the GuMiBear study). BMJ open, 13(3), p.e067016. March 2023.

Lynch, C.M., Cowan, C.S., Bastiaanssen, T.F., Moloney, G.M., Theune, N., van de Wouw, M., Zanuy, E.F., Ventura-Silva, A.P., Codagnone, M.G., Villalobos-Manríquez, F. and Segalla, M., Critical windows of early-life microbiota disruption on behaviour, neuroimmune function, and neurodevelopment. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 108, pp.309-327. February 2023.

Koc F., Sugrue I., Murphy K., Renzetti S., Noort M., Ross R. P., Stanton C. The Microbiome Modulating Potential of Superheated Steam (SHS) Treatment of Dietary Fibres. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies. August 2022.

Yıldırım, S., Nalbantoğlu, Ö.U., Bayraktar, A., Ercan, F.B., Gündoğdu, A., Velioğlu, H.A., Göl, M.F., Soylu, A.E., Koç, F., Gürpınar, E.A., Kadak, K.S., Arikan M., Mardinoglu A., Koseoglu E., Hanoglu L. Stratification of the Gut Microbiota Composition Landscape Across the Alzheimer’s Disease Continuum in a Turkish Cohort. mSystems. February 2022.

Homolak, J., Perhoc, A.B., Knezovic, A., Barilar, J.O., Koc, F., Stanton, C., Ross, R.P. and Salkovic-Petrisic, M. Disbalance of the duodenal epithelial cell turnover and apoptosis accompanies insensitivity of intestinal redox homeostasis to inhibition of the brain glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptors in a rat model of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroendocrinology, October 2021.

Lynch, K.M., Strain, C.R., Johnson, C., Patangia, D., Stanton, C., Koc, F., Gil-Martinez, J., O’Riordan, P., Sahin, A.W., Ross, R.P. and Arendt, E.K., Extraction and characterisation of arabinoxylan from brewers spent grain and investigation of microbiome modulation potential. European Journal of Nutrition, May 2021.

Koc F, Mills S, Strain C, Ross RP, Stanton C. The public health rationale for increasing dietary fibre: Health benefits with a focus on gut microbiota. Nutrition Bulletin, September 2020.

Er S, Erim UC, Koc F, Kivanc M. Identifying Probiotic Charactheristics of Lactobacillus Crispatus Isolated From the Vagina. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, September 2019.

Idug T, Hizli H, Sen A, Koc F. In vitro Antomicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Some Berry Species. Acta Pharmaceutica Sciencia, July 2018.

Altun E, Aydogdu MO, Koc F, Kutlu O, Gozuacik D, Yucel S, Gunduz O. Amoxicillin loaded hollow microparticles in the treatment of osteomyelitis disease using single-nozzle electrospinning. BioNanoScience, July 2018.

Cetin G., Catalgol Z., Aydogdu M.O., Altun E., Koc F., Lin C.C., Sengil A.Z., Gunduz O. A novel antibacterial nanofibers mat madde of co-axial electrospun polycaprolactone / silver nitrate / zinc oxide composites. Nano-Bio-Materials and Devices, June 2018.

Aydogdu MO, Altun E, Crabbe-Mann M, Brako F, Koc F, Ozen G, Kuruca SE, Edirisinghe U, Luo CJ, Gunduz O, Edirisinghe M. Cellular Interactions with Bacterial Cellulose – Polycaprolactone Nanofibrous Scaffolds Produced by Portable Electrohydrodynamic Gun for Point-of-Need Wound Dressing. International Wound J., May 2018.

Altun E, Aydogdu MO, Koc F, Crabbe-Mann M, Brako F, Kaur-Matharu R, Ozen G, Kuruca SE, Edirisinghe U, Gunduz O, Edirisinghe M. Novel Making of Bacterial Cellulose Blended Polymeric Fibre Bandages. Macromolecular Materials & Eng. March 2018.

Conference Poster Presentations

Koc F. et al. Gut Microbiome in Children with Congenital Heart Disease after Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery (GuMiBear Study) (accepted as a poster presentation to IHMC 2024 meeting).

Koc F. et al. Biscuits for the Gut: A Symphony of FODMAPs and Fiber in Gut Harmony for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Management" (accepted as a poster presentation to ASM Microbes 2024 annual conference).

Koc F. et al. The microbiome modulating potential of superheated steam (SHS) treatment of dietary fibres. 51st Annual Food Science and Technology Conference, 2023. Poster Presentation.

Koc F. et al. Ramadan Fasting Causes Increase in Gut bacteria with Probiotic Potential and Lowers Blood Triglycerides in Prediabetic Patients. 3rd International Human Microbiota in Health and Diseases Congress. 07-09 November 2019. Istanbul, Turkey. Poster Presentation.

Nalbantoglu OU, Sezgin B, Gundogdu A, Koc F, Gol MF, Korkmaz D, Soylu AE, Velioglu HZ, Gurpinar EA, Sogukkanli K, Hanoglu L, Koseoglu E, Yildirim S. Comparison of Gut Microbiota in Patients of Mild-Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease with Normal Controls: A Multicentre Study. 7th International Human Microbiome Congress. 26-28 July 2018. Killarney, Ireland. Poster Presentation.

Hizli H, Idug T, Koc F, Zerek E. Determination of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity in Fresh and Dry Berries. 2. National Nutrition and Dietetics Congress. 23-26 November 2017. Istanbul, Turkey. Poster Presentation.

Koc F. et al. The Effect of Long-Term Fasting on Diabetes Mellitus. 2. National Nutrition and Dietetics Congress 23-26 November 2017. Istanbul, Turkey. Poster Presentation.

Kandilci M, Koc F. Oxidative Stress in Obesity. 2. National Nutrition and Dietetics Congress 23-26 November 2017. Istanbul, Turkey. Poster Presentation.

Kandilci M, Koc F. Phytosterols. 2. National Nutrition and Dietetics Congress 23-26 November 2017. Istanbul, Turkey. Poster Presentation.

Aydogdu ME, Altun E, Cetin G, Koc F, Gunduz O. Polycaprolactone/ Silver nitrate/ Zinc Oxide nanofiber composites via co- Presentation.

Er S, Koc F, Erim UC, Kıvanc M. Identifying Probiotic Characteristics of Lactobacillus Fermentum 1 Isolated from the Vagina. 5. Academy of Paediatrics, Probiotics and Prebiotics Congress. 23-26 February 2017. Trabzon, Turkey. Oral Presentation.

Koc F. et al. Determination of the Probiotic Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Obtained from Traditionally Homemade Pickles. 12. Food Congress of Turkey. 5-7 October 2016. Edirne, Turkey. Poster Presentation.

Iduğ T, Hizli H, Ozdatli S, Koc F. Determination of Antimicrobial Activity and Antioxidant Capacity of Some Herbal Tea 22. Herbal Drug Raw Materials Meeting, 31Agust-5 September 2016, Trabzon. Poster Presentation.

Mert F, Koc F, Togay S, Agel E. Determination of the Antimicrobial Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Obtained from Traditionally Fermented Turkish Foods. The 3rd International Symposium on “Traditional Foods from Adriatic to Caucasus”, 1-4 October 2015, Sarajevo-Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poster Presentation.axial electrospinning. 13th International Conference on Materials Chemistry (MC13), 10-13 July 2017, Liverpool, UK, Poster