About
Research
Overview
- Molecular Genetics of Intracranial Aneurysms
- Molecular Genetics and Biology of Cavernous Malformations
- Cerebral Malformations in Developmental Structural Brain Disorders
Medical Research Interests
Aneurysm; Brain; Genetics; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System; Molecular Biology; Neurobiology; Neurosurgery
Publications
Featured Publications
A Founder Mutation as a Cause of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation in Hispanic Americans
Günel M, Awad I, Finberg K, Anson J, Steinberg G, Batjer H, Kopitnik T, Morrison L, Giannotta S, Nelson-Williams C, Lifton R. A Founder Mutation as a Cause of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation in Hispanic Americans. New England Journal Of Medicine 1996, 334: 946-951. PMID: 8596595, DOI: 10.1056/nejm199604113341503.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCavernous malformationsCerebral cavernous malformationsSporadic casesFamilial diseaseSame mutationSporadic cavernous malformationsDevelopment of symptomsHispanic AmericansCerebral hemorrhageVascular diseaseAsymptomatic carriersHigh prevalenceClinical casesMalformationsDiseaseFounder mutationPatientsAge dependenceAffected membersKindredsMarkersMexican descentEthnic groupsMutationsSame alleleSusceptibility loci for intracranial aneurysm in European and Japanese populations
Bilguvar K, Yasuno K, Niemelä M, Ruigrok YM, von und zu Fraunberg M, van Duijn CM, van den Berg LH, Mane S, Mason CE, Choi M, Gaál E, Bayri Y, Kolb L, Arlier Z, Ravuri S, Ronkainen A, Tajima A, Laakso A, Hata A, Kasuya H, Koivisto T, Rinne J, Öhman J, Breteler MM, Wijmenga C, State MW, Rinkel GJ, Hernesniemi J, Jääskeläinen JE, Palotie A, Inoue I, Lifton RP, Günel M. Susceptibility loci for intracranial aneurysm in European and Japanese populations. Nature Genetics 2008, 40: 1472-1477. PMID: 18997786, PMCID: PMC2682433, DOI: 10.1038/ng.240.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchApoptotic Functions of PDCD10/CCM3, the Gene Mutated in Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3
Chen L, Tanriover G, Yano H, Friedlander R, Louvi A, Gunel M. Apoptotic Functions of PDCD10/CCM3, the Gene Mutated in Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3. Stroke 2009, 40: 1474-1481. PMID: 19246713, PMCID: PMC2709460, DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.108.527135.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsApoptosisApoptosis Regulatory ProteinsCaspase 3Central Nervous System NeoplasmsCulture Media, Serum-FreeEndothelial CellsGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHeLa CellsHemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous SystemHumansIn Situ Nick-End LabelingMembrane ProteinsMutationp38 Mitogen-Activated Protein KinasesProto-Oncogene ProteinsRNA, Small InterferingTransfectionUmbilical VeinsThe quest to unravel the complex genomics of intracranial aneurysms
Barak T, Günel M. The quest to unravel the complex genomics of intracranial aneurysms. Nature Cardiovascular Research 2022, 1: 281-282. PMID: 39196131, DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00051-7.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersGenome-wide association study of intracranial aneurysm identifies three new risk loci
Yasuno K, Bilguvar K, Bijlenga P, Low SK, Krischek B, Auburger G, Simon M, Krex D, Arlier Z, Nayak N, Ruigrok YM, Niemelä M, Tajima A, von und zu Fraunberg M, Dóczi T, Wirjatijasa F, Hata A, Blasco J, Oszvald A, Kasuya H, Zilani G, Schoch B, Singh P, Stüer C, Risselada R, Beck J, Sola T, Ricciardi F, Aromaa A, Illig T, Schreiber S, van Duijn CM, van den Berg LH, Perret C, Proust C, Roder C, Ozturk AK, Gaál E, Berg D, Geisen C, Friedrich CM, Summers P, Frangi AF, State MW, Wichmann HE, Breteler MM, Wijmenga C, Mane S, Peltonen L, Elio V, Sturkenboom MC, Lawford P, Byrne J, Macho J, Sandalcioglu EI, Meyer B, Raabe A, Steinmetz H, Rüfenacht D, Jääskeläinen JE, Hernesniemi J, Rinkel GJ, Zembutsu H, Inoue I, Palotie A, Cambien F, Nakamura Y, Lifton RP, Günel M. Genome-wide association study of intracranial aneurysm identifies three new risk loci. Nature Genetics 2010, 42: 420-425. PMID: 20364137, PMCID: PMC2861730, DOI: 10.1038/ng.563.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchWhole-exome sequencing identifies recessive WDR62 mutations in severe brain malformations
Bilgüvar K, Öztürk A, Louvi A, Kwan KY, Choi M, Tatlı B, Yalnızoğlu D, Tüysüz B, Çağlayan A, Gökben S, Kaymakçalan H, Barak T, Bakırcıoğlu M, Yasuno K, Ho W, Sanders S, Zhu Y, Yılmaz S, Dinçer A, Johnson MH, Bronen RA, Koçer N, Per H, Mane S, Pamir MN, Yalçınkaya C, Kumandaş S, Topçu M, Özmen M, Šestan N, Lifton RP, State MW, Günel M. Whole-exome sequencing identifies recessive WDR62 mutations in severe brain malformations. Nature 2010, 467: 207-210. PMID: 20729831, PMCID: PMC3129007, DOI: 10.1038/nature09327.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAbnormal cortical developmentWD repeat domain 62 (WDR62) geneSevere brain malformationsWhole-exome sequencingBrain abnormalitiesBrain malformationsCortical developmentMolecular pathogenesisCerebellar hypoplasiaWDR62 mutationsEmbryonic neurogenesisDiagnostic classificationMicrocephaly genesSmall family sizeGenetic heterogeneityWide spectrumRecessive mutationsPachygyriaPathogenesisHypoplasiaNeocortexNeurogenesisAbnormalitiesMalformationsMutationsCommon variant near the endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA) gene is associated with intracranial aneurysm risk
Yasuno K, Bakırcıoğlu M, Low SK, Bilgüvar K, Gaál E, Ruigrok YM, Niemelä M, Hata A, Bijlenga P, Kasuya H, Jääskeläinen JE, Krex D, Auburger G, Simon M, Krischek B, Ozturk AK, Mane S, Rinkel GJ, Steinmetz H, Hernesniemi J, Schaller K, Zembutsu H, Inoue I, Palotie A, Cambien F, Nakamura Y, Lifton RP, Günel M. Common variant near the endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA) gene is associated with intracranial aneurysm risk. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2011, 108: 19707-19712. PMID: 22106312, PMCID: PMC3241810, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1117137108.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesDiscovery cohortDisease-related lociReplication cohortSignificant associationEndothelin receptor type AGenomic regionsChromosome 12q22Genetic evidenceIndependent Japanese cohortsIntracranial aneurysm formationRisk lociA geneEvidence of associationAssociation studiesEndothelin pathwayAneurysm formationEndothelin signalingCardiovascular disordersJapanese cohortLociCohortCommon variantsGenetic factorsTreatment of IADe novo mutations revealed by whole-exome sequencing are strongly associated with autism
Sanders SJ, Murtha MT, Gupta AR, Murdoch JD, Raubeson MJ, Willsey AJ, Ercan-Sencicek AG, DiLullo NM, Parikshak NN, Stein JL, Walker MF, Ober GT, Teran NA, Song Y, El-Fishawy P, Murtha RC, Choi M, Overton JD, Bjornson RD, Carriero NJ, Meyer KA, Bilguvar K, Mane SM, Šestan N, Lifton RP, Günel M, Roeder K, Geschwind DH, Devlin B, State MW. De novo mutations revealed by whole-exome sequencing are strongly associated with autism. Nature 2012, 485: 237-241. PMID: 22495306, PMCID: PMC3667984, DOI: 10.1038/nature10945.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenomic Analysis of Non-NF2 Meningiomas Reveals Mutations in TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO
Clark VE, Erson-Omay EZ, Serin A, Yin J, Cotney J, Özduman K, Avşar T, Li J, Murray PB, Henegariu O, Yilmaz S, Günel JM, Carrión-Grant G, Yılmaz B, Grady C, Tanrıkulu B, Bakırcıoğlu M, Kaymakçalan H, Caglayan AO, Sencar L, Ceyhun E, Atik AF, Bayri Y, Bai H, Kolb LE, Hebert RM, Omay SB, Mishra-Gorur K, Choi M, Overton JD, Holland EC, Mane S, State MW, Bilgüvar K, Baehring JM, Gutin PH, Piepmeier JM, Vortmeyer A, Brennan CW, Pamir MN, Kılıç T, Lifton RP, Noonan JP, Yasuno K, Günel M. Genomic Analysis of Non-NF2 Meningiomas Reveals Mutations in TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO. Science 2013, 339: 1077-1080. PMID: 23348505, PMCID: PMC4808587, DOI: 10.1126/science.1233009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBrain NeoplasmsChromosomes, Human, Pair 22DNA Mutational AnalysisFemaleGenes, Neurofibromatosis 2Genomic InstabilityGenomicsHumansKruppel-Like Factor 4Kruppel-Like Transcription FactorsMaleMeningeal NeoplasmsMeningiomaMiddle AgedMutationNeoplasm GradingProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledSmoothened ReceptorTumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and ProteinsRecessive loss of function of the neuronal ubiquitin hydrolase UCHL1 leads to early-onset progressive neurodegeneration
Bilguvar K, Tyagi NK, Ozkara C, Tuysuz B, Bakircioglu M, Choi M, Delil S, Caglayan AO, Baranoski JF, Erturk O, Yalcinkaya C, Karacorlu M, Dincer A, Johnson MH, Mane S, Chandra SS, Louvi A, Boggon TJ, Lifton RP, Horwich AL, Gunel M. Recessive loss of function of the neuronal ubiquitin hydrolase UCHL1 leads to early-onset progressive neurodegeneration. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2013, 110: 3489-3494. PMID: 23359680, PMCID: PMC3587195, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1222732110.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAge of OnsetAmino Acid SequenceBase SequenceChild, PreschoolExomeFemaleGenes, RecessiveHomozygoteHumansHydrolysisMaleModels, MolecularMolecular Sequence DataMutation, MissenseNerve DegenerationNeuronsPedigreeProtein BindingSequence Analysis, DNASubstrate SpecificitySyndromeThermodynamicsUbiquitinUbiquitin ThiolesteraseConceptsUbiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1Upper motor neuron dysfunctionMotor neuron dysfunctionProgressive neurodegenerative syndromeEarly-onset progressive neurodegenerationChildhood-onset blindnessWhole-exome sequencingNeuron dysfunctionHomozygous missense mutationIndex caseNervous systemProgressive neurodegenerationNeurodegenerative syndromeCerebellar ataxiaHydrolase activityNear complete lossComplete lossAffected individualsConsanguineous unionsMissense mutationsRecessive lossHomozygosity mappingProper positioningReduced affinitySpasticity
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Murat Günel, MD, chair of neurosurgery, specializes in the treatment of complex brain aneurysms, vascular malformations, and brain tumors. He employs advanced techniques such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery, a precise form of radiation therapy targeting brain tumors and other abnormalities without a traditional surgical incision.
Dr. Günel’s research interests include gene discovery in diseases of the human brain, focusing on brain development, vascular disease, and tumors. Utilizing next-generation genomic technologies, Dr. Günel's lab studies the genetic and epigenetic causes of brain and central nervous system tumors, particularly meningiomas. The aim is to define the molecular makeup of these tumors to guide the development of novel therapies, including oncolytic viruses.
In addition to holding the title of Sterling Professor of Neurosurgery, Dr. Gunel is a professor of genetics and neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine. He is also the co-director of the Yale Program on Neurogenetics and the director of the Yale Program in Brain Tumor Research.
Recognized for his pioneering contributions to neurological surgery and research, Dr. Günel has received numerous awards, including the Ralph G. Dacey Medal for Outstanding Cerebrovascular Research and the WINN Award from the Society of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Günel earned his medical degree from Istanbul University and completed both his internship and residency at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Clinical Specialties
Neurosurgery
Fact Sheets
Endovascular Brain Surgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineRadiation Therapy with Gamma Knife
Learn More on Yale MedicineGamma Knife Radiosurgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineVascular Surgery
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Board Certifications
Neurological Surgery
- Certification Organization
- AB of Neurological Surgery
- Latest Certification Date
- 2013
- Original Certification Date
- 2002
Yale Medicine News
News & Links
News
- January 02, 2025Source: Yale News
‘Smooth Brain’ Disorders May Share a Common Cause — and Potential Treatment
- August 09, 2024
Rebecca Starble and Danielle Miyagishima win 2024 Carolyn Slayman Prize in Genetics for exceptional research and service
- February 07, 2023
Daniela Renedo, MD Wins American Heart Association Stroke Basic Science Award
- December 21, 2021Source: BioWorld
Discovery of a familial intracranial aneurysm gene
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Neurosurgery
PO Box 208082
New Haven, CT 06520-8082
United States
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