Genetic diseases are sometimes congenital and sometimes caused by faulty genes inherited from the mother and father. A specific method is used to correct faulty genes in the DNA. The faulty DNA that causes the disease can be found and replaced with the correct part. This method, called CRISPR-Cas9, is a revolutionary biotechnology tool used for genome editing. This system allows the genetic material to be cut and edited in a specific target region.
In this way, genetic diseases can be treated. In other words, it is possible to live a healthy life by correcting faulty information in our body.
Assoc. Prof. Pınar Çakır Hatır, Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, is working on the development of targeted smart nanocarriers in our Nanotechnology and Biomaterials Laboratory. In this method they have developed, it is planned to use special carriers made of natural substances obtained from plants. It is aimed to increase the chance of success of the treatments by delivering the system, which works to find faulty DNAs, to the right cells.
Speaking about the studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Çakır Hatır; “We are developing a promising method for genetic diseases. With our studies, we are looking for a more effective and safe way to treat these diseases. We aim to make the treatment process safer and more efficient. We expect to reach the targeted cell accurately thanks to smart nanocarriers.”