Near East University students won an award in the “Young Minds, New Ideas” competition with their innovative SMAD3 biosensor project developed for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. The project, notable for its low cost and portable design, aims to provide fast and accessible solutions in Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Near East University students achieved significant success in the “Young Minds, New Ideas” project competition, organized for the first time in the TRNC by the Turkish Informatics Association and hosted by Lefke European University. The project, titled “Innovative Point-of-Care Biosensors Targeting SMAD3 for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease”, developed by students from the Faculty of Engineering at Near East University, won an award in the “Engineering, Hardware and Sustainable Technologies” category.
The team, consisting of Ranim Ata Odeh Al-Masri, Boris Bahizi Ndabarasa, Tchersey Keina Nziza, Diane Umutoni, team captain Nezihe Alibaba, and team advisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Aşır, received great acclaim for their SMAD3 biosensor prototype developed for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. This innovative and low-cost biosensor design, targeting the SMAD3 protein associated with blood-brain barrier disruption, aims to contribute to the earlier, faster, and more accessible diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
New Horizons in Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: An Innovative SMAD3-Focused Biosensor
Alzheimer’s disease is known as a progressive neurological disease that leads to memory loss and decline in cognitive function over time. Currently, PET, MRI, and some laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of the disease are both expensive and may not always provide sufficiently accurate results for early diagnosis.
The project developed by Near East University students targets the protein called “SMAD3”, which is linked to early signs of Alzheimer’s. This protein, which plays a significant role in inflammatory processes in the brain, is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. However, until now, a biosensor technology capable of quickly and practically detecting SMAD3 had not been developed.
Based on this deficiency, the project team designed a low-cost and portable biosensor system. The goal is for the developed device to be used at the patient’s bedside, providing results quickly from a small sample. Thus, it aims to contribute to the earlier detection of Alzheimer’s using more accessible and practical methods.
The First Fruits of a Major Scientific Research
This successful prototype study, with which the students won an award, was actually implemented as an education-focused byproduct of a much more comprehensive Scientific Research Project (BAP) conducted within Near East University. Project advisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Aşır emphasized that a strong scientific foundation and teamwork were behind the students’ success, stating, “Our students’ visionary competition project is a prototype of our main research supported by the University’s Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit.” Aşır said, “The origin and scientific foundation of this idea belong to our collaborative research team: Dr. Mehmet İlker Gelişen, a lecturer, Shadi Moslehi, a third-year student at the Faculty of Pharmacy, and our extensive BAP (Research Project) team comprised of valuable academics from both our university and Hacettepe University. While congratulating our students for successfully bringing this grand vision to the competition platform, I also express my gratitude to my entire research team who conducted the clinical and academic development of this innovative technology.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “The participation of our students in such high-potential projects at the undergraduate level is one of the strongest indicators of our commitment to training future scientists.”
Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said that the success achieved by his students is a significant result of the university’s research-oriented education vision. “This innovative project, developed by our young people to address a major global health problem like Alzheimer’s, is a very valuable achievement reflecting the scientific production power and research culture of our university.” said Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ, adding, “The fact that our students are involved in such high-potential projects while still at the undergraduate level is one of the strongest indicators of our commitment to training the scientists of the future. I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone involved, especially our project team and our advisor.”
