Dr. Shibashish Giri, a faculty member at the Leipzig University Medical Faculty and Head of the Center for Applied Stem Cell Biology and Cell Technology; Biomedical and Biotechnology, visited Üsküdar Üniversitesi. During the meeting, research that could be conducted through the shared use of laboratory infrastructures between Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Leipzig University was discussed. At the meeting, where innovative projects in the fields of stem cells, neuroscience, and biotechnology are planned to be implemented, it was emphasized that inter-university collaboration could contribute to the future healthcare system.
The meeting, held at the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Central Campus Senate Hall, was attended by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Prof. Dr. Osman Çerezci, Director of the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Biotechnology Application and Research Center (BİYOTEKMER) Prof. Dr. Nesrin Erçelen, faculty academics, and administrative staff, including Dr. Shibashish Giri, a faculty member at Leipzig University Medical Faculty and Head of the Center for Applied Stem Cell Biology and Cell Technology; Biomedical and Biotechnology.
Innovative Projects to be Implemented Between the Two Universities
At the meeting, attention was drawn to research that could be carried out through the shared use of laboratory infrastructures between Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Leipzig University. It was stated that innovative projects, particularly in the fields of stem cells, neuroscience, and biotechnology, could be implemented by combining the strong technical capabilities and scientific knowledge of the two universities.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Without Research, Science Does Not Advance”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, delivered his speech during the meeting. Tarhan stated; “As Üsküdar Üniversitesi, we aimed to be a research-oriented university from the very beginning. Our priority areas are engineering, health, and behavioral sciences. Since our early years, we have always focused on these fields and conducted our research accordingly. Especially neuroscience and neurogenetics 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 conduct studies on psychiatric diseases, focusing particularly on genes and chromosomes. This year, we also organized our GMP laboratory. There, we conduct research on therapy techniques. So, our main focus is research. Because without research, science does not advance, and if science does not advance, we cannot benefit humanity.”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “We Will Take Innovative Steps Towards the Future Healthcare System”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, in her speech at the meeting, said; “Strengthening our university’s research vision at an international level is our priority. The collaborations to be carried out with Leipzig University will greatly contribute to our projects in the fields of stem cells and biotechnology, and enable us to take innovative steps towards the future healthcare system.”
Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel: “These Studies Will Increase Our Scientific Output”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, in his speech at the meeting, said; “We aim to utilize our university's laboratory infrastructures in the most efficient way. The projects to be carried out with Leipzig University offer significant opportunities for both our researchers and our students. These studies will increase our scientific output and contribute to future health technologies.”
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Erçelen: “With Our Laboratories, We Will Contribute to New Technologies”
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Erçelen, Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Biotechnology Application and Research Center (BİYOTEKMER), made the following remarks regarding the importance of the meeting: “I am truly happy to be here today with our valuable professors from various fields. Our professors and representatives from many areas, from engineering to health, are present. I must mention that our Professor Nevzat has always empowered us in research and enlightened our path towards the future. His vision inspires us all. Today, we also have our young scientists with us. For instance, Dr. Giri and his team... They are doing excellent work not only in biology but also within the scope of biological engineering. They are developing new technologies, which is exciting for all of us. My wish is to contribute more to the development of these new technologies with the facilities of our faculties and the opportunities offered by our laboratories. I believe we will all advance on this path together.”
Dr. Shibashish Giri: “We Aim to Bring a New Vision to the Future Healthcare System”
Dr. Shibashish Giri, a faculty member at Leipzig University Medical Faculty and Head of the Center for Applied Stem Cell Biology and Cell Technology; Biomedical and Biotechnology, spoke about his work and future goals. Dr. Giri said; “At the Leipzig University Medical Faculty, 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, enabling organs to self-regenerate. We are working on a chip that can measure organ age. We have achieved significant results in the liver and skin areas, and our research for the heart and kidneys is ongoing. Additionally, we discovered small peptides that perform the same function as expensive growth factors. This method is both much cheaper and effective. With microRNA-based diagnostics and peptide-exosome-based therapies, we aim to bring a new vision to the future healthcare system.”
“Healthy Living is Also Important for Us”
Emphasizing the connection between biology and mental health, Dr. Giri stated; “Besides science, healthy living is also important for us. When yoga is done in front of a window, oxygen intake increases. Properly prepared ginger tea significantly contributes to immunity. A supplement we developed for hair cells achieved 56% success. We are also researching how happiness hormones like dopamine and serotonin are affected in depression. In a healthy individual, these hormones are balanced and rise when you come into contact with 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. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan presented his written works and a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Giri.
Üsküdar’s Laboratories Visited
After the meeting, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel gave Dr. Giri a tour of Üsküdar Üniversitesi's laboratories and discussed the ongoing work.