Towards Perfection in Medicine (Precision Medicine)
"Precision Medicine", which can also be defined as "precision medicine", is an approach that aims to achieve the highest effectiveness in treatment by taking into account the genetic structure of the individual, environmental factors and differences in lifestyle. Pharmacogenomic studies constitute the most important pillar of this approach. For this purpose, our Advanced Toxicological Analysis and Pharmacogenetics laboratory, which was established in Üsküdar University and NPISTANBUL Brain Hospital in 2010, has been a first in Turkey by receiving ISO 17025 certificate with international validity in a short time.
In this laboratory, drug blood levels are measured at regular intervals and patients are closely monitored in terms of their drug response and side effect risks. Since these analyses also provide guidance on whether genetic profiling is necessary, genetic tests are performed in appropriate cases and reports are prepared to guide the current and future treatment of patients and related genetic cards are issued.
In addition, targeted smart drug development and brain computer interface program software are carried out within the scope of research and development studies at our University.
Brain Park (BrainPark)
It is Turkey's first brain research and applications development center established within a foundation university, where experts from different fields come together and work with a multidisciplinary approach. Molecular biology and genetics experts, pharmacologists, computer engineers, psychologists, neuroscientists, psychiatrists and neurologists work under the roof of the center.
How does BrainPark work?
BrainPark studies are divided into two as applied and basic brain studies. Studies in this context are carried out as follows. In basic brain studies, scientific studies are carried out in a wide spectrum starting from computer modeling of brain activity, cells and proteins to the study of brain-behavior relationship in experimental animals.
In addition to basic brain studies, studies on the development and effectiveness of new drugs that can be used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases are also carried out in the experimental animal laboratory at BrainPark. In applied brain studies, scientific studies are carried out on measuring brain activity using neuroimaging and neuromodulation methods and modifying it with external stimulation.
Brain changes in schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity, depression, addiction and other psychiatric and neurological disorders and the effectiveness of brain stimulation methods in the treatment of these disorders are among the most important clinical issues BrainPark is interested in.
Thanks to the research and application centers within BrainPark, the cognitive properties of the normal and healthy brain are examined with imaging methods such as electroencephalogram and functional magnetic resonance, and research is carried out to better understand cognitive problems.
In addition to scientific research, BrainPark has also undertaken the mission of informing the society about brain diseases and the working principles of the brain, and trainings on the brain are organized for individuals from all segments of society with simulation laboratories.
Üsküdar University in BrainPark Studies
As Üsküdar University, one of the most important goals ahead of us is to realize Turkey's first Brain Park (BrainPark). Within this project, we aim to bring together neuroscience, engineering, health science and social sciences in a multidisciplinary discipline and become Turkey's first brain base. In April 2013, US President Barack Obama gathered the institutes known as the NATURAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH together and made a 14-minute presentation on BrainPark and announced to the whole world the importance they attach to brain studies.
As Üsküdar University, we see the information that will be generated by these researches in the Brain Project as the most important information and we act with the same sensitivity. We have the mind power and team to carry out the Brain Project. As Üsküdar University, we are very proud and happy to be a part of this great project.
Üsküdar University BrainPark researchers are open to collaboration with other researchers working in the field of brain in our country and in the world.
Üsküdar University Neuropsychopharmacology Application and Research Center (NPFUAM) has units under the supervision of two different ministries: Experimental Research Unit (ÜSKÜDAB) and Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee (ÜÜ-HADYEK).
Experimental Research Unit (ÜSKÜDAB)
The Experimental Research Unit (ÜSKÜDAB) was granted a work permit by the General Directorate of Food Control of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock on 19.03.2014. Two types of experimental animals, mice and rats, are produced in our center. The mouse breeds produced are Balb-C, Swiss webster and C57BL6. The rat breeds produced are Wistar albino, Spraque dawley and Long Evans. Our center has the capacity to maintain and produce a total of 1,000 mice and rats.
Ongoing TUBITAK projects in our center;
Patents granted for three molecules envisioned for the treatment of schizophrenia patients
Investigation of the role of paraventricular thalamic nucleus activity in psychotic disorders by behavioral experiments of surgical intervention in a rat model
Behavioral effects of different forms of zeatine, a cytokine analog, on anxiety and psychosis.
Effects of agmatine on sex-dependent locomotor activity in caffeine-sensitized mice.
The effect of a combination of alcohol and energy drinks on epilepsy seizure threshold in rats.
