The future is in genetics

Izmir University of Economics ECOGENESIS Club held the “2nd IUE Biology Summit”. The biotechnology methods, market share of this area, and its status in Turkey and worldwide were addressed at the ‘Future of Biotechnology’ themed event intended for university and high school students.

In his speech, Prof. Cihangir Yandım, Lecturer from IUE Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, stated that immunotherapy, CRISPR technology, individualized medicine, bioinformatics and tissue engineering would be the technologies of the future. Yandım said, “Thanks to these technologies, science will accelerate and improve. There are many employment opportunities for students who are interested in working in this area which has a great market share, and receives many investments.”

As Prof. Dr. Cemal Ün tried to explain the importance of bioinformatics in genome studies via genetic disease research in mammals, Mete Şaylan, Market Access Director of Bayer, stated that the interest in health and genetics would multiply in the near future. Şaylan said, “Synthetic biology, gene-editing technologies, and 3D bio-printing technology would develop intensely. On the other hand, due to increasing population, the treatment of illnesses and diseases will become harder.”

Another speaker, Prof. Dr. Sinan Akgöl talked about the importance of nanoparticles in cancer treatment. Asst. Prof. Yavuz Oktay informed the audience about functional genome approaches in central nervous system diseases and CRISPR technology. Oktay stated that they were studying the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and cell models of diseases.

Bilal Çakmak, Manager of Medical Park Biomedical, mentioned combination of products such as medicines, vaccines, and equipment, which are developed to solve health problems and improve life quality, with technology.