TRGENMER Participates in Turkey's Space Vision with 6 Papers

Üsküdar University's TRGENMER team is preparing to leave its mark on Turkey's international representation in space sciences. Within the scope of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), to be held in Antalya between 5-9 October 2026, 6 important studies prepared by Üsküdar University's TRGENMER team have been accepted for presentation. Research multidimensionally addressing the effects of microgravity (weightless environment) on human biology provides significant data in critical areas such as the immune system, metabolism, aging, cancer biology, and psychiatric predisposition gene networks.

“Turkey's First Manned Space Biology Research” The studies conducted within the scope of the MESSAGE Science Mission (Microgravity Associated Genetics Science Mission), which is one of Turkey's first manned space biology research efforts in the international arena, are among the most notable topics of the congress. 

The studies cover not only biology but also space law…

The studies carried out within Üsküdar University and to be presented at IAC 2026 are not limited to biology but also encompass space governance and law. The papers prepared by the expert team including TRGENMER Director Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan and TRGENMER R&D Manager Beyza Aydın; in addition to microRNA mechanisms, space oncology, and neuropsychiatric predisposition networks, also include an interdisciplinary study contributing to Turkey's national space law framework, consistent with Turkey's “Space2030 Agenda”.

Accepted paper titles:

1.    Microgravity-Induced Rewiring of Longevity and Mechanotransduction Networks in Human Immune Cells: Changes in longevity and mechanotransduction networks in human immune cells in a weightless environment.

2.    A Microgravity-Responsive Cellular Axis of Glucose Metabolism Adaptation in Astronaut Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: Glucose metabolism adaptation in astronauts' blood cells.

3.    Comparative MicroRNA Transcriptomics Analysis as Duration-Dependent Regulatory Signatures: Duration-dependent effects of in-orbit and sub-orbital microgravity on microRNA.

4.    Microgravity-Associated Exploratory Transcriptomic Analysis of Psychiatric Vulnerability Pathways: Investigation of MDD, Schizophrenia, and OCD-related genetic predisposition pathways.

5.    Persistent Oncogene and Tumor Suppressor Gene Dysregulation Under Sustained Microgravity Exposure: Dysregulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes under prolonged microgravity exposure.

6.    Toward Implementing the “Space2030” Agenda Through a Comprehensive National Space Law Framework for Türkiye: Sustainable space governance and national space law framework for Turkey.

The research team, emphasizing their contribution to international scientific visibility, also highlighted that the papers will showcase Turkey's scientific competence in the fields of space biology, astronaut health, molecular medicine, and space law at a global level. The studies pioneered by Üsküdar University continue to strengthen Turkey's space vision with scientific outputs.