Much of the work carried out by DTT is in support of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency partnership of the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and NIEHS.
Mouse Embryo Phenotyping & Special Techniques Group
Mert Icyuz, Ph.D., is a Staff Scientist and Group Leader of the Mouse Embryo Phenotyping Core (MEPC) in the Comparative and Molecular Pathogenesis Branch (CMPB), Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Dr. Icyuz earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dr. Icyuz completed postdoctoral training in the Clinical and Translational Research Branch (CTRB) at NIEHS, where he led interdisciplinary studies examining the molecular and environmental determinants of developmental phenotypes. His work focused broadly on understanding genetic factors that influence embryonic development and human disease-related traits using genetically engineered mouse models and complementary cellular systems. His research incorporated CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, systematic phenotypic characterization of mouse embryos and placentas, histopathology, and transcriptomic approaches, including spatial transcriptomics, to determine how genetic perturbations alter developmental trajectories. These studies connected embryonic phenotypes to underlying gene regulatory networks and molecular pathways identified through transcriptomic analyses.
As Group Leader of the MEPC, Dr. Icyuz directs comprehensive phenotypic characterization of genetically engineered mouse embryos and collaborates broadly across NIH to support mechanistic studies in developmental biology, toxicology, and environmentally influenced disease processes. His research focuses on defining the genetic and molecular mechanisms that govern embryonic development and how their disruption contributes to congenital abnormalities and disease susceptibility. He integrates high-resolution embryonic phenotyping with molecular profiling approaches to advance mechanistic understanding of developmental and environmentally influenced diseases.