Üsküdar stands out with its pioneering projects in science and space research

The eighth Project Launch Meeting organized by the Directorate of Research and Development and Innovation Policies at Üsküdar University was held. During the meeting, the university’s academic performance indicators, TÜBİTAK and European Union projects, and university–industry collaborations were discussed. The findings of the MESSAGE project, conducted within the scope of Türkiye’s first manned space mission, were shared. In addition, the “Sleeping Yarn” project aimed at improving sleep quality, research on plant based treatment studies, and current academic activities in the field of philosophy were introduced.

The meeting, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall of Üsküdar University’s Main Campus, was attended by the President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, the Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, as well as faculty deans, senate members, and academics.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “BİYOSAD is a very significant opportunity”

Speaking at the meeting, President of Üsküdar University, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, drew attention to the importance of the BİYOSAD project. Tarhan stated, “This major project focusing on biotechnological drug production is a very important opportunity in terms of university–industry cooperation. Especially in the fields of medicine, genetics, pharmacology, and health sciences, highly significant projects can be developed.”

Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay: “The number of projects is increasing every day”

The first presentation of the meeting was delivered by the Director of Research and Development and Innovation Policies, Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay.

Stating that the number of projects in which Üsküdar University faculty members take part as coordinators and researchers is increasing day by day, Özay noted that numerous projects are ongoing, particularly TÜBİTAK 1001, 1002, 1505, 1071 Sustainable Blue Economy, and European Union projects. She also provided information about the budgets of projects in which academics participate as researchers and consultants.

Üsküdar’s signature in Türkiye’s first manned space mission

At the meeting, TRGENMER Director Dr. Cihan Taştan provided information about the MESSAGE Mission conducted within the scope of the TÜBİTAK National Space Program. Explaining the studies carried out at the Transgenic Cell Technologies Center of Üsküdar University, Taştan stated that the effects of microgravity on human genetics were examined.

Taştan said, “Within Türkiye’s first manned space mission, we analyzed the biological effects of microgravity through the blood and genetic data of our astronauts. In this context, we identified that some genes whose functions were previously unknown became active only in the space environment.”

He also noted that the findings obtained within the scope of the MESSAGE project have attracted significant interest in the international scientific community, have been presented at international congresses, and are in the process of being published in prestigious journals.

Successful examples of university–industry cooperation

During the meeting, Asst. Prof. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı, Vice Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, introduced the “Sleeping Yarn” project conducted under the TÜBİTAK 1505 program. Çarşıbaşı stated that they are working on an innovative yarn aimed at improving sleep quality using natural molecules and emphasized that the project is one of the successful examples of university–industry cooperation.

Developing new treatment approaches through natural molecules

Asst. Prof. Esma Ulusoy from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences shared details of her project titled “Investigation of the In silico, In vitro, and In vivo Effects of Plant Based Secondary Metabolites in Chronic Inflammatory Rosacea,” conducted within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 3501 Career Development Program. Ulusoy stated that the study aims to better understand the biological mechanisms of rosacea and to develop new treatment approaches through natural molecules.

Philosophy addressed as a contemporary practice of thinking

As part of the meeting, Research Assistant Dr. Merve Arlı Özekes from the Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences presented the activities of the Ancient and Contemporary Philosophy Study Group. Özekes stated that this approach, which establishes a connection between Ancient philosophy and contemporary thought, offers a philosophical perspective on today’s ethical and social issues, and emphasized that they address philosophy as a living and contemporary practice of thinking.

At the end of the meeting, sapling certificates were presented to the academics who delivered project presentations.

The launch concluded with a group photo session.