The Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center established at Near East University will be headed by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk. The scientific advisory board will include Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, Prof. Dr. Gökhan S. Hotamışlıgil and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Toner.

‘Synthetic biology’, which has broken new ground in critical areas such as health, agriculture, environment and energy, stands out as one of the most innovative branches of modern science. Near East University, which established the Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center, also aims to pioneer research in this field. The Near East University Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center will be headed by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk, who is among the world’s leading scientists in the fields of biotechnology, molecular biology and genetics. The scientific advisory board of the Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center consists of Nobel Prize-winning academician, biochemist and molecular biologist Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, Harvard University JS Simmons Professor of Genetics and Metabolism Prof. Dr. Gökhan S. Hotamışlıgil and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Toner, who developed microchips that enable the diagnosis of cancerous cells in the blood in a very short time.

Synthetic biology offers solutions to increase human well-being and plays a critical role in the development of innovative products with economic value. This discipline, which is based on advanced techniques of genetic engineering, paves the way for the development of products in many areas such as the food industry, environmental protection and energy production, in addition to the successes recorded in vaccine and drug development processes.

In the food field, the development of technologies that reduce allergens, make foods more beneficial, increase flavor and ensure that products are stored in good conditions for a long time are among the prominent applications of ‘synthetic biology’. In the environmental field, thanks to biosensors, environmental pollution can be continuously monitored and cleaned with biological methods. Thus, environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions become possible. In industrial applications, synthetic biology makes a difference with environmentally sensitive production methods. Molecules synthesized by chemical means can be produced without creating toxic accumulation thanks to this technology. In addition, innovative solutions such as the development of biofuels in the energy sector are among the important contributions made by synthetic biology.

The Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center established at Near East University will focus particularly on the development of new drugs and vaccines, solving environmental pollution with biological methods, and developing value-added products in the agricultural and food sectors.

Defining synthetic biology as “a field that will transform not only the future of science but also the quality of life of societies,” Near East University Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “With the Near East University Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center, we aim to make an important contribution to the goal of a sustainable world on an international scale by developing innovative solutions in critical areas such as health, environment and agriculture.”

Emphasizing that the scientific studies to be conducted under the chair of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk will also be transformed into products, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “The studies to be conducted at our center will not be limited to scientific research. At the same time, we will take important steps towards solving regional and global problems by producing concrete solutions that will contribute to public health, the environment and the economy.”

Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “Synthetic biology is one of the most exciting and transformative scientific fields of our age. Innovative research in this field creates great impacts not only in the scientific world, but also in the sustainable development and welfare levels of societies.” Reminding that Near East University conducts multidisciplinary studies in many fields with its research centers exceeding 40, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Near East University Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center will pioneer the scientific discoveries of the future in the field of biotechnology.”

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ, who stated that they were honored to have very important names from the scientific world such as Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, Prof. Dr. Gökhan S. Hotamışlıgil and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Toner on the advisory board of the Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center, which will operate under the chair of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk, said, “I would like to express my gratitude once again to our esteemed professors for supporting this important initiative of ours.”

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk, Head of the Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center, said, “Synthetic biology is a discipline that promises revolutionary innovations in many areas from human health to environmental protection. In order to realize this potential, the Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center will rapidly start its studies with goals such as developing new drugs and vaccines in the health sector, producing biological solutions to environmental problems and obtaining sustainable products in agriculture.” Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk also said, “In line with this vision, the Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center will play an important role on a national and global scale, beyond being a scientific research center, with product developments that will provide solutions to social problems.”