NDAL`s Research Activities and the State of Biological Research in - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

NDAL`s Research Activities and the State of Biological Research in Turkey A. Nazlı Başak Boğaziçi University Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory

Outline • Part I – Research Interests of NDAL • Introduction of BU and the lab • Research areas • Part II – The State of Biological Education and Research in Turkey

PART I Research Interests of NDAL

NDAL • Neurodegeneration Research Lab – established at Boğaziçi University in 2005 – by Suna and Inan Kıraç Foundation • to create a center of excellence at BU • enhance neurosciences in Turkey

Suna and Inan Kıraç Foundation • Contributes to 3 different areas in Turkey: – education, – health care – culture and arts NDAL, is the first example of a collaborative initative, in the • field of health sciences, between an academic institution and an NGO in Turkey • Mission: internationally competitive laboratory at BU – enhance biomedical research and – specifically neurosciences in Turkey

NDAL’s Scientific Advisors

NDAL’s Interaction Partners

MBG Dept. at Boğaziçi Univ. • Pioneer in the scientific research of genetic diseases common in Turkey – first establishment of molecular methods for the analysis and prenatal diagnosis of inherited disorders • Investigation the genetics of complex disorders

Turkey: Crossroad of Many Civilizations  large country with a young population*  high birth rate  high consanguinity (mostly first cousins): >21%  large families, many children, many generations  wealthy historical background  unique geographical position a rich genetic pool with a high ethnic heterogeneity…

NDAL: Center of Excellence as a Diagnostic Reference Lab • Huge demand from all over Turkey for molecular analysis of neurological diseases – NDAL is the only center in Turkey offering routine molecular diagnosis in several neurological disorders • NDAL has a very rich repository on patient samples. • This increases the synergy with research as new mutations and genes are identified.  Medical schools and hospitals acrossTurkey

Large collection of patient material: huge potential for research!!! SBMA DRPLA 1% 1% AD 5% DM SCA 9% 30% ALS 9% PD 13% FRDA 17% HD 15%

• Build on the strength of our experience in genetic studies … and on the momentum generated by the Kıraç gift… • Changing gears now: – expanding the scope of our research to include functional studies • generation and use of animal and cell culture model • The general theme of investigations is focused today on the biology of ND diseases – aiming to understand the mechanisms leading to neurodegenerative processes

NDAL’s Research Interests Functional Accurate animal models studies on of complex alsin Gaining insights into neurodegenerative ALS from disease genetics/genomics Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism Application of Corticospinal MN bioinformatics development and repair and systems mechanisms biology to human Understanding disease the biology of brain tumors

Gaining Insights from Genetics/Genomics • Familial ALS: Identifying new ALS genes – next generation genomic technologies – e.g. exomic and whole-genome sequencing Undefined 70% 20% SOD1 ANG TDP-43 1% FUS 4% Other genes 4% 1% SOD1-D90A  UMass Med School: Bob Brown  Yale Med School: Murat Gunel  Umea Med School: Peter Andersen

Functional Studies on Alsin • Investigation of alsin-interacting proteins: – mutations of alsin give rise to juvenile ALS as well as other neuromuscular diseases • yeast-two-hybrid system • co-immunoprecipitation /Western blot • immunocytochemistry Gerards R., et al., 2004  University of Rome: Maria Teresa Carri  Northwestern Med School: Teepu Siddique

Accurate Animal Models of Neurodegenerative Disease • Introducing human ALS mutations to Drosophila – homologous recombination  Brown University: Robert Reenan O’Keefe L. V. et al. , 2007

Corticospinal Motor Neuron (CSMN) Development and Repair • Molecular mechanisms effective in motor neuron development, differentiation and repair – candidate genes playing a role in the development of CSMN • Functional studies – temporal analysis of the expression of cand genes in tissue – knock-out mice models of cand genes – in vivo cell labelling – fluorescent cell isolation PhD project: • – activation of progenitors in the adult cortex to develop into CSMNs (controlled neurogenesis)  Harvard University: Jeff Macklis

Understanding the Biology of Brain Tumors • Meningioma is the most common brain tumor • Comparing the molecular biology of meningioma subsets - by profiling miRNA expression • Developing molecular therapies  Marmara University: Turker Kilic

Application of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology to Human Disease • Polymorphisms, mutations and pathways in neurodegenerative and mental disorders – GWAS: SNP genotyping in sporadic ALS  University of Toronto: Hilmi Ozcelik

PART II The State of Biological Education and Research in Turkey

Bo ğ azi ç i University, 1863-2010 • Founded under the name of Robert College in 1863, – converted into a TR state univ in 1971 • Ranks among the top three research universities in Turkey – well known for its outstanding education at undergraduate and graduate levels – medium of instruction is in english • Established reputation nationwide … worldwide …

BU takes the top 0.5-1% out of 2 mio studs. Excellent undergraduate education in biological sciences at several Turkish Universities

Absolute requirements for excellence at graduate level… • nationwide support of natural sciences • scientific thinking of the society • exposure to scientific exchange • rich scientific environment • innovative thinking/new ideas • state of the art technologies • critical mass of scientists • intense networking, collaborations • strategic partnerships • reversal of brain-drain

We have… We need… to increase the qualified undergrad critical mass of and grad students scientists intense networking, excellent theoretical collaborations with education advanced centers large number of cutting-edge potential young technologies scientists high chances of richer scientific support from environment European Funds

What do we expect from the new DT University? Inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary; many double majors • Option to choose and change the major in the first 2 yrs • Undergraduate lab work and experience to be improved • – hands-on training – state-of-the-art laboratory equipment – well-trained technical personnel Powerful MSc and PhD program • A state of the art and internationally competitive research university with a strong infrastructure!

Well- equipped laboratories… The converted kitchen of a castle, Miescher’s lab was considered cutting edge at the time… Friedrich Miescher Lab, 1868

Broad Institute, MIT-Harvard, 2010

What do we expect from the new DT University? Biological Sciences

We welcome a very strong partner!

We are ready to assist DTU during its transition period…

“ My dreams s will last longer er than my life ! ” Suna Kıraç THANK YOU…

Istanbul, 2007 • Suna Kıraç conferences embrace multiple subjects pertinent to understanding and treating degenerative diseases of the CNS in a multi-disciplinary manner. Next Conference: June 23-26, 2011 Stem Cells, , RNAi and Neurode dege generation Istanbul, 2009