Step into the world of cutting-edge neuroscience with the GEMSTONE (Genetically Engineering Experimental Models: Enhancement of Scientific and Technological excellence and innOvation potential to study NEurodevelopmental Diseases, Grant Agreement: 101078981) Project, a dynamic endeavor led by Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University (ACU) in Turkey. This ambitious project collaborated with prestigious European academic institution Lund University (ULUND) and a nonprofit organization in innovation management Fondazione ICONS (ICONS). This partnership is not just about sharing knowledge; it is about creating opportunities for researchers to expand their horizons, equipping them with both technical skills and the softer skills necessary to be successful in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape.
ACU and ULUND collaboration is standing in the field of health sciences, focusing on gene engineering technologies and neuroscience, with a keen eye on neurodevelopmental aspects in brain disorders, including epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
At the heart of GEMSTONE lies a core emphasis on the validation of chemogenetic modulation by Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs). This pioneering research seeks to unlock the full potential of DREADDs as a precise tool for modulating neural activity, shedding light on their efficacy in understanding and potentially treating neurodevelopmental disorders.
The impact of GEMSTONE will provide an upsurge in scientific output, more active participation in global conferences, and a significant boost in grant applications. GEMSTONE is not only about expanding ACU's academic prowess; it's also about fostering new connections and collaborations that will put ACU on the global neuroscience map.
GEMSTONE's second pillar is dedicated to nurturing ACU's research community. ACU's Technology Transfer Office will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to guide researchers toward successful grant applications, fund acquisition, effective communication of research findings, and even the translation of discoveries into clinical or commercial applications. The best practices gained from this experience will be shared in a comprehensive guide, benefiting other universities and governments in widening countries.
- Çarçak N, Onat F, Sitnikova E. Astrocytes as a target for therapeutic strategies in epilepsy: current insights. Front Mol Neurosci. 16:1183775, 2023 doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1183775. PMID: 37583518; PMCID: PMC10423940.
- Onat F., van Luijtelaar G., Nehlig A., Snead O. C. The involvement of limbic structures in typical and atypical absence epilepsy. Epilepsy Research, 103 (2-3): 111-123, 2013.
- Gulcebi M. I., Ozkaynakci A., Onat F. The relationship between UGT1A4 polymorphism and serum concentration of lamotrigine in patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy Research, 95, 1-8, 2011.
Email: filiz.onat@acibadem.edu.tr
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