Author

Mert Koka

University of FloridaORCID 0000-0002-3302-3431Unclaimed ORCID profile · follow to get notified of new preprints

Biology Disciplines

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Genomics· 1 Microbiology· 1 Neuroscience· 1

Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Assay:bulk RNA-seq· 2 Research Focus:differential expression· 2 Approach:experimental assay· 2 Organism:human· 2 Approach:statistical model· 2 Organism:bacteria (other)· 1 Research Focus:cell signaling & trafficking· 1 Research Focus:gene regulatory network inference· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Vijayendran ChandraniD· 2 shared Balachundhar SubramaniamiD· 1 shared Brent L. FogeliD· 1 shared Brindha Chandran· 1 shared Conner Langeberg· 1 shared Cyntia TaveneauiD· 1 shared Darice Y. WongiD· 1 shared David R. LynchiD· 1 shared

Activity by Year

2021-2026 · peak 1/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 15 mutual co-author links

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Focal author (center)Selected co-authorORCID co-authorUnlinked name

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2 shared papersNeuroscience

Vijayendran ChandranORCID

Mutual co-authors in cluster

Author profile →

3 papers

Recent·Most cited

tRNA-derived second messengers confer bacterial immunity

Luis E. Valentin-Alvarado, Peter H. Yoon, Santiago C. Lopez, Yekaterina Shulgina, Conner Langeberg, Emily Armbruster, Muhammad Moez ur-Rehman, Kenneth J. Loi, Cyntia Taveneau, Isabel Esain-Garcia, Mert Koka, Zeyuan Terry Zhang, Dmitry Kashin, Frank Schwede, Gaétan Burgio, , Jennifer A. Doudna

The paper identifies a bacterial immune pathway where tRNA cleavage generates second messengers that trigger cell death via RNA-guided nuclease activity.

bioRxiv · Oct 9, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology

Long non-coding RNA TUG1 is down-regulated in Friedreich's ataxia.

Mert Koka, Hui Li, Rumana Akther, Susan Perlman, Darice Y. Wong, Brent L. Fogel, David R. Lynch, Vijayendran Chandran

This study identifies TUG1 as a blood-based biomarker for Friedreich's ataxia, showing its downregulation in patients and correlation with disease severity.

Brain Communications · Jan 1, 2024Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat.

Vijayendran Chandran, Mei-Ling Bermúdez, Mert Koka, Brindha Chandran, Dhanashri Pawale, Ramana V. Vishnubhotla, Suresh Alankar, Raj K. Maturi, Balachundhar Subramaniam, Senthilkumar Sadhasivam

This study identifies a meditation-specific immune response network through gene expression analysis, showing upregulation of immune-related genes and downregulation of stress and cell cycle pathways.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Dec 13, 2021Peer-reviewedGenomics