SUNUM Strengthens Research Capacity in NanoBio4Can Programme

The NanoBio4Can programme, coordinated by Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Centre (SUNUM) and supported by the European Commission, has further strengthened its research capacity with the completion of the second call period. With 12 new postdoctoral researchers accepted into the programme, the total number of researchers has reached 24, while international scientific efforts towards innovative nano-biotechnology-based approaches in cancer treatment are gaining momentum.

Supported under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND framework, the NanoBio4Can programme is being conducted under the "Scientific Excellence" component of the European Commission's Horizon Europe Programme. The programme, which has received a total of EUR 3.8 million in grant support, encourages international researcher mobility while focusing on the development of next-generation therapeutic solutions in cancer treatment.

Innovative Approaches in Cancer Treatment Being Developed
The 12 postdoctoral researchers working under the programme's first call are conducting innovative research targeting diseases affecting millions of people, such as lung, breast, liver, brain and childhood cancers.

The studies aim to direct drugs directly to diseased cells, increase treatment efficacy and reduce side effects of existing treatments. Research conducted on immunotherapy strategies that activate the immune system, next-generation carrier systems capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and gene regulation technologies contribute to the development of more precise, effective and personalized cancer treatments.

The 12 new postdoctoral researchers accepted under the second call of NanoBio4Can will begin their work this year, significantly increasing the research capacity of the programme.

Increasing Turkey's International Research Capacity
NanoBio4Can stands out as an important research and training platform that strengthens Turkey's international visibility in the nano-biotechnology field, supports young researchers in acquiring globally competitive competencies and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration in cancer research.

The programme is being conducted by a strong consortium in which İzmir Biotype and Genome Centre (İBG), Koç University Translational Medicine Application and Research Centre (KUTTAM) and TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Centre (TÜBİTAK MAM) serve as implementing organizations. Leading universities and research centres from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, Switzerland and the United States are contributing to the programme, alongside ATABAY, İLKO, TRUSTLIFE Ventures, ORGANO ID, Gen-Era, Ege Teknopark and Atatürk University from Turkey.

Detailed information about NanoBio4Can is available at www.nanobio4can.net.

The NanoBio4Can Project is financed by the European Union and TÜBİTAK. The views and opinions expressed herein belong solely to the author(s) and do not reflect the official views of the European Union or TÜBİTAK. The European Union and TÜBİTAK cannot be held responsible for these views. (Horizon Europe Grant Agreement No: 101126492, TÜBİTAK Project Code: 123C460).