Duygu’s main contributions are to the Smart Biosystems and Bioprocesses research group (DigiSmartBio) and focus on the adaptation of digital technologies to develop data-driven and mechanistic modelling approaches for handling complexity in microbial and mammalian biosystems and bioprocesses. Her research focuses on bringing systems engineering and systems biology together to address the problems we currently face in the design, development and control of functional biological entities and bioprocesses. She also helps to develop plans for digital/data/AI research at the UCL East Manufacturing Futures Lab.

Duygu works at the interface of bringing information at the cellular level and at the bioprocess level together in order to make well-informed decisions on how to improve design and facilitate system automation for bioprocessing and biomanufacturing. Her group develops data-driven and mechanistic modelling approaches for handling complexity in microbial and mammalian biosystems and bioprocesses, as well as methodologies and tools for predicting and controlling system behaviour for the purpose of designing structures that are capable of making decisions to guide their future actions.

Her research areas include understanding cellular stress during recombinant protein production by microbes (with Professor Gary Lye), design of concerted microbial metabolic activities to mimic multicellular behaviour (with Professors John Ward, Gary Lye and Nicolas Szita), analysing and improving the controllability of complex hierarchical networks in living systems (with Professor Jurg Bahler (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment)), development of data-driven experimental approaches in the domain of cell and gene therapies (with Dr Qasim Rafiq) and the implementation of data-driven approaches in understanding elucidate conformational dynamics changes within protein formulations (with Professor Paul Dalby).

Current grants include a Royal Academy of Engineering grant on the use of non-conventional yeasts for functional food production through data-driven process optimisation with Yeditepe University (Turkey), an AstraZeneca Beacon Project Grant on the utilisation of AI-driven technologies for achieving superior controller responses in mammalian cultures, and a Johnson Matthey grant on overcoming challenges in the production of difficult to express enzymes, both with the University of Cambridge.