Dr. Shibashish Giri, Faculty Member at the Leipzig University Faculty of Medicine and Head of the Applied Stem Cell Biology and Cell Technology; Biomedical and Biotechnology Center, visited Üsküdar University. During the meeting, discussions focused on research that could be carried out through the joint use of laboratory infrastructures between Üsküdar University and Leipzig University. The gathering highlighted plans to launch innovative projects in the fields of stem cells, neuroscience, and biotechnology, emphasizing that inter-university collaboration could contribute to the future of healthcare systems.
The meeting, held at the Senate Hall of Üsküdar University’s Main Campus, was attended by President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan; Prof. Nazife Güngör, Rector of Üsküdar University; Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel; Prof. Osman Çerezci, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences; Prof. Nesrin Erçelen, Director of the Üsküdar University Biotechnology Application and Research Center (BİYOTEKMER); Dr. Shibashish Giri from Leipzig University; as well as faculty members and administrative staff.
Innovative projects to be launched between the two universities
The meeting emphasized the potential for research that could be conducted through the joint use of laboratory infrastructures at Üsküdar University and Leipzig University. It was noted that by combining the strong technical capacities and scientific expertise of the two universities, particularly in the areas of stem cells, neuroscience, and biotechnology, innovative projects could be brought to life.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Without research, science cannot advance”
In his address, President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated: “As Üsküdar University, from the very beginning, we aimed to be a research-oriented institution. Our priorities are engineering, health, and behavioral sciences. From our early years, we focused on these fields and continued our research accordingly. Neuroscience and neurogenetics, in particular, are very important for us. We have courses and research in these areas. In our Faculty of Health Sciences, we have personalized treatment laboratories. We also have pharmacology laboratories and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) laboratories. We are conducting studies related to psychiatric disorders, focusing especially on genes and chromosomes. This year, we have also established our GMP laboratory, where we are conducting research on therapy techniques. Our main focus is research. Because without research, science cannot advance, and without science advancing, we cannot contribute to humanity.”
Prof. Nazife Güngör: “We will take innovative steps toward the future of healthcare”
Prof. Nazife Güngör, Rector of Üsküdar University, said in her speech: “Our priority is to strengthen our university’s research vision at an international level. The collaboration with Leipzig University will make a significant contribution to our projects in stem cells and biotechnology and will enable us to take innovative steps toward the future of healthcare systems.”
Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel: “These studies will increase our scientific output”
Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University, stated in his remarks: “Our aim is to make the most efficient use of our university’s laboratory infrastructures. The projects to be carried out with Leipzig University will offer important opportunities for both our researchers and our students. These studies will increase our scientific output and contribute to the health technologies of the future.”
Prof. Nesrin Erçelen: “We will contribute to new technologies with our laboratories”
Prof. Nesrin Erçelen, Director of the Biotechnology Application and Research Center (BİYOTEKMER) at Üsküdar University, shared the following remarks on the significance of the meeting: “I am truly pleased to be here today together with our esteemed colleagues from various fields. Our professors and representatives are present here from engineering to health sciences. I must emphasize that Prof. Nevzat Tarhan has always empowered us in research and illuminated our path toward the future. His vision inspires us all. Today, we also have young scientists among us, for example, Dr. Giri and his team. They are conducting remarkable studies not only in biology but also within the scope of biological engineering. They are developing new technologies, which is truly exciting for all of us. My wish is to contribute more to the development of these new technologies through the resources of our faculties and the opportunities offered by our laboratories. I believe we will move forward together on this path.”
Dr. Shibashish Giri: “We aim to bring a new vision to the healthcare system of the future”
Dr. Shibashish Giri, Faculty Member at Leipzig University Faculty of Medicine and Head of the Applied Stem Cell Biology and Cell Technology; Biomedical and Biotechnology Center, spoke about his research and future goals: “At Leipzig University Faculty of Medicine, I conduct research in applied stem cell biology and cell technology. Unlike classical treatments, we aim to awaken cells inside the body without removing them, targeting the self-renewal of organs. We are working on a chip that can measure the biological age of organs. We have achieved significant results in the fields of liver and skin, and our research continues for the heart and kidneys. In addition, we discovered small peptides that perform the same function as expensive growth factors. This method is both much cheaper and effective. Through microRNA-based diagnostics and peptide-exosome-based therapies, we aim to bring a new vision to the healthcare system of the future.”
“Healthy living is also important for us”
Emphasizing the connection between biology and mental health, Dr. Giri said: “Alongside science, healthy living is also important for us. When yoga is practiced in front of a window, oxygen intake increases. Properly prepared ginger tea makes a significant contribution to immunity. A supplement we developed for hair cells achieved a 56% success rate. We are also studying how happiness hormones such as dopamine and serotonin are affected in depression. In a healthy individual, these hormones are balanced and increase when you encounter something you love. This shows us that biology and mental health cannot actually be considered separately.”
Tarhan presented his works
At the end of the meeting, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented his authored works and a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Giri.
Üsküdar’s laboratories were visited
Following the meeting, Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel gave Dr. Giri a tour of Üsküdar University’s laboratories and provided information about the ongoing studies.