Üsküdar University Working on Covid-19 Test Kit

Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the importance of work in molecular biology and genetics, experts say, drawing attention to the technological infrastructure and human resources that our country possesses in this field. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk of Üsküdar University, noting that the institution is conducting significant work in this area, stated that they are working on test kits that enable the identification of such viruses and can cooperate with the state if authorized institutions make requests. Vice Rector of Üsküdar University Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk emphasized that the importance of the molecular biology and genetics department has been understood once more during the coronavirus pandemic. Noting that the pandemic demonstrates how important it is for the molecular biology and genetics department and the specialists trained in this field to receive good education, Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk stated, "Currently, a short-term test is being conducted in our state. Based on the results of this test, which provides answers within 15 minutes, those who test negative are referred for examination of their genetic characteristics using molecular techniques. Standards are set in molecular techniques; if you adhere to these standards well, molecular techniques do not make errors. However, those who apply that technique make errors. This is where we see how seriously molecular biology and genetics education needs to be conducted."

DNA studies are being conducted in the laboratory

Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, noting that the infrastructure of this department is very important, stated, "The most basic thing here is being able to apply that knowledge. Developing students' ability to convert that knowledge into practice. As a university, we provide our students with laboratory infrastructure and opportunities in practical lessons. For example, our third-year students perform gene transfer, meaning the student extracts DNA from a living organism, isolates the desired gene region from that DNA. Then the student amplifies that gene region, adds it to a vector or transfer molecule or plasmid. By transferring the plasmid and vector they added to another organism, they check whether the desired gene region has been transferred. And if it has been transferred as desired, they can observe what phenotypic changes occur in them. Now this is entirely the work of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Department," he said.

It is possible to produce kits for other viruses that will undergo mutation!

Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, noting that work related to Coronavirus Covid-19, which constitutes the most important topic of the day, falls within the field of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, stated, "Currently, biotechnology companies are producing kits using the opportunities and techniques of genetic engineering. For example, we as a university engaged in joint activities with a company, a biotechnology firm doing this work. In the context of their primer regions, a colleague from our department designed them. As a result of those studies, now we have the ability to produce kits that provide definite results with accuracy reaching nearly 98 percent. That is, as a university, within the scope of cooperation with industry, we provided such support to an industrial establishment," he said. Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk stated that it is also possible to produce kits that will enable work on other viruses that will undergo mutation in the future.

We are ready to perform Covid-19 testing…

Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, stating that they have obtained results regarding studies aimed at identifying the Covid-19 virus, said, "If our state makes a call regarding molecular testing techniques related to these tests conducted only in publicly owned hospitals and certain hospitals, as the Molecular Biology and Genetics Department of Üsküdar University, we are ready to provide these tests to our state, on behalf of the state to our people. We will provide all support. We are here to support this country."

Covid-19 vaccine should also be developed

Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, noting that the work conducted in this context should be carried out not only for detecting the presence of the virus but also for developing a vaccine against this virus, stated, "Our state has provided opportunities from various sources, but we also have infrastructure related to vaccine development. Particularly in relation to Slovakia and a university in that country, we have a vaccine whose prototype we developed against Q fever. That is, if the state can again provide very special specific support in this context, we have the necessary infrastructure regarding vaccine development against both Covid-19 and other microorganisms. As a country, we have the infrastructure and technical capabilities to conduct work on vaccines," he said.

Covid-19 vaccine around November-December…

Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, noting that work on Covid-19 vaccines is continuing in some countries, stated that these vaccines are not expected to be implemented before November-December.

Authorized institutions should be trusted

Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, noting that the announcements of authorized state institutions, particularly the Ministry of Health, should be trusted, said that it is also important to comply with officials' warning to stay at home.