Akdeniz University Reports Progress on Artificial Organ Development

Artificial Organ Production Announced by Akdeniz University Akdeniz University Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan announced that Akdeniz University has secured TRY 312 million in budget support from the Presidential Strategy and Budget Office for the Advanced Health Research Project being implemented by the university. Rector Özkan stated, "Within the framework of the Advanced Health Research infrastructure project, regenerative medicine and stem cell research will be conducted, microbial bioactive compounds will be produced using biotechnological methods, and we will begin work on artificial organ production, which particularly fills me with pride." Akdeniz University Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan met with press representatives on the occasion of his second year in office and provided updates on developments.

"Beginning work on artificial organ production particularly fills me with pride"

Özkan began his remarks by emphasizing the importance of technology and expertise, stating: "Expertise alone is not sufficient; infrastructure is also very important. We believe both need to be improved in Turkey. Yes, we provide very good healthcare services, but can we create technology? We considered what we could do in this regard. We invested significant effort and focused on projects. We allocated a budget of TRY 7 million for scientific research projects. We hope to announce good news regarding medicines developed through these efforts, and we are planning to introduce at least one of them as a domestic product in the shortest time possible at this stage. In addition to these initiatives we launched with university resources, we are making intensive efforts for externally funded projects and I am pleased to report that we are beginning to see the results of these efforts. With the Advanced Health Research infrastructure project we launched under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ömer Özkan, we secured TRY 312 million in total budget support from the Presidency of the Republic's Strategy and Budget Office. Within the framework of the Advanced Health Research infrastructure project, regenerative medicine and stem cell research will be conducted, microbial bioactive compounds will be produced using biotechnological methods, and we will begin work on artificial organ production, which particularly fills me with pride," he said.

"3D complex electrophysiology mapping laboratory established"

Stating that the hospital continues to improve diagnosis and treatment services with the latest technology in all areas of both equipment and infrastructure, Özkan said: "Thanks to our contacts with our Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoğlu, we have provided our hospital with approximately TRY 130 million in high-tech diagnostic and treatment equipment. When these devices come into service, long waiting times for important tests such as MR and tomography will be eliminated. In just two years, the oldest building in our hospital, the A block inpatient ward building, has been renovated and adapted to meet the needs of our time. Additionally, one of Turkey's largest accredited multidisciplinary sleep laboratories has been established, a 41-bed neonatal intensive care unit with modern technology has been put into service, robotic surgery and advanced laparoscopic intervention rooms with the latest technology have been set up in the operating room, and a 3D complex electrophysiology mapping laboratory, which does not exist in the Mediterranean region, has been established," he said.

"Selection of targeted drugs will provide significant improvement in cancer treatment success"

In his remarks, Rector Özkan stated: "A next-generation genetic laboratory has been established that enables us to provide the broadest range of genetic testing in the Mediterranean region, and it is notable as a first in Turkey in terms of molecular pathology and genetic tests being provided under one roof. Through the service we have begun providing within our hospital, significant convenience will be provided in the diagnosis of many diseases known to have genetic underpinnings. Additionally, through the selection of 'targeted' drugs, defined by the public as smart medicine in the treatment of cancer, one of today's major health problems, significant improvement in cancer treatment success will be achieved," he said.