The scientific world came together at the "Genomic Era and Innovative Health Technologies Workshop," organized by the Health Biotechnology Joint Center of Excellence for Applied Research (SABİOTEK), established in 2021 in cooperation with Marmara University, Yıldız Technical University, and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa. The workshop hosted by Marmara University was attended by Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur, Yıldız Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik, and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Rector Prof. Dr. Nuri Aydın. The event was also attended by Marmara University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Vice Rector and SABİOTEK Director Prof. Dr. Emine Elif Güzel Meydanlı.
Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur: “SABİOTEK Workshops Provide Synergy and High Motivation in the Scientific Community”
Beginning his remarks by emphasizing the importance of SABİOTEK, Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur noted that he initially had questions about the workshops when he first assumed office, stating, “SABİOTEK’s workshops have been the meetings I have attended with the greatest enthusiasm and motivation.”Expressing that the sincerity between the rectors has made a significant contribution to the process, Prof. Dr. Okur emphasized that the program hosted by Marmara University was the product of months of intensive labor, saying, “There is serious work behind it; I thank everyone who contributed.” Prof. Dr. Okur also noted that inter-university cooperation has been attracting increasing interest, adding that his visits to different universities have provided him with new perspectives and that this collaboration has opened up significant horizons for scientific development.
Prof. Dr. Nuri Aydın: “Workshops Strengthen Academic Cooperation and Increase Multidisciplinary Synergy”
Drawing attention to the importance of the workshops, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Rector Prof. Dr. Nuri Aydın stated, “These workshops allow us to get to know each other and reveal the collaborative capacity of academics across different universities.” Emphasizing the synergy created by the cooperation of three universities, he noted, “These studies should not be conducted within a single discipline but through a multidisciplinary approach.” Emphasizing that health biotechnology encompasses a broad field, Prof. Dr. Aydın stated, “You are the ones who will develop new technologies, medicines, and personalized treatments; we are in the position of implementing them.”
Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik: “SABİOTEK Leads Strong and Ethical Projects through Interdisciplinary Studies”
Stating that SABİOTEK presents a model different from conventional project approaches, Prof. Dr. Debik said, “Projects are generally shaped by the ideas of a few individuals; however, at SABİOTEK, strong projects emerge through discussions and intellectual exchange.” Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration as the center’s most important strength, he stated, “Here we clearly see the power of interdisciplinary work.” He further underlined that SABİOTEK represents a pioneering model in Türkiye and that the state and relevant institutions attach great importance to such initiatives, noting that the center has been operating successfully for four years. Referring to genomic research, Prof. Dr. Debik emphasized that Türkiye could develop exemplary projects in this field thanks to its commitment to ethical values.Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik also stated that high-budget projects are on the agenda, important funding sources have been reached, and it is aimed to implement larger-scale studies with the cooperation of the three universities.
Prof. Dr. Emine Elif Güzel Meydanlı: “SABİOTEK Workshops Shape the Future of Health Biotechnology”
Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Vice Rector and SABİOTEK Director Prof. Dr. Emine Elif Güzel Meydanlı evaluated the activities of the center, which was established in 2022 to contribute to academic and industrial progress in health biotechnology. She stated that the center operates across six thematic areas with a total of 639 researchers, including 157 from Yıldız Technical University, 321 from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, and 161 from Marmara University. She also noted that approximately 800 million TL in project funding has been secured since its establishment. Prof. Dr. Güzel Meydanlı said, “In the workshop we held on November 20, 2025, hosted by Marmara University, we handled the opportunities of the genomic era and innovative health technologies with an interdisciplinary approach.” Underlining that participants developed projects ranging from diagnosis and treatment methods to biomedical devices and artificial intelligence applications in the workshop, Prof. Dr. Emine Elif Güzel Meydanlı stated that final reports were submitted to the center and communication platforms were established for sustainable cooperation.She emphasized that the studies will shape the future of health biotechnology with concrete projects, prototypes, and production-oriented outputs. Stating that the workshop will strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations and allow for the birth of ideas that will contribute to the health system, Prof. Dr. Güzel Meydanlı extended her thanks to all participants.
SABİOTEK, which draws attention with its research activities, collaborations, and academic efforts in the field of health biotechnology, once again demonstrated its pioneering role through this significant organization. The workshop concluded with team-based activities focused on multidisciplinary project proposals.
