Innovative Studies at Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center
Associate Professor Dr. Serhat Tozburun and his team at the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center have developed a revolutionary device to destroy abnormal tissues with a high probability of cancer in the digestive system organs before they turn into cancer. This groundbreaking study opens the door to a new era in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Project Starts Against Cancer Threat
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tozburun and his team started a project by observing the increase in cancerous tissues in the digestive system organs in 2021. The main purpose of this project is to detect pre-cancerous abnormal tissues in a timely manner and effectively destroy them. TUBITAK and supported by European Research Council (ERC) Receiving a grant of 1,6 million euros under the Consolidator Grant call Clarisurge The project aims to develop a 1-centimeter cap that can be attached to the end of an endoscopy device.
Features of the Developed Technology
This title, which aims to separate and destroy healthy tissues from abnormal tissues during the endoscopy process, has achieved successful results in animal experiments. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tozburun emphasizes that the technology they developed will allow immediate treatment of superficial abnormal tissues detected during endoscopic interventions. In this way, physicians will be able to detect and treat pre-cancerous abnormal tissues more effectively during screening endoscopy.
The Process of Destroying Abnormal Tissues
The way the device works is quite innovative. When the device is brought closer to the detected abnormal tissue structures, the abnormal superficial tissues are confined to a channel with the negative pressure method. At this stage, cell structures are disrupted using low-power electric currents and abnormal tissues are destroyed without heat. This method ensures that abnormal cells are destroyed in a timely manner, while leaving minimal effects on healthy tissues.
Single Use and Patient Specific Device
The developed device is designed for single use and specific to the patient. After the procedure, this device is thrown away, thus minimizing the risk of infection. The small electrodes inside the device apply low-strength and high-speed electric currents to abnormal tissues, thus making the treatment process safer.
Contribution of the Project to Health Technologies
Dokuz Eylü University President Prof. Dr. Bayram Yılmaz expressed the project's contributions to Turkey's research ecosystem. Such research is of great importance in terms of supporting qualified studies in the international arena and is a source of inspiration for young researchers. Yılmaz stated that the project has the potential to start a new era in health technologies.
In Conclusion, We Look to the Future with Hope
This innovative technology will provide a major step forward in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and will also be recorded as an important development in the field of health. Supporting such projects allows scientists in our country to be more visible in the international arena and contribute to developments in the field of health.
These groundbreaking studies of the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center have the potential to create a revolution in the world of health and aim to save many lives in the future.
