Istanbul

Technopark

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1st meeting 25th May 2022 at Istanbul Technopark went very productive. Istanbul Technopark is the largest technology park in Turkey. A comprehensive blend of Industry, academia, and market under one roof with solid planning. We were able to share Research and Development at IRCBM, existing IPs and way forward for joint IP exploitation between IRCBM and Istanbul Technopark. Thanks Mr Ozan Ovren team leader at Incubation Center and colleagues for making this visit fruitful. A number of outcomes may arise from this collaboration. Really enjoyed all the productive talks with follow up discussion with teams leads and field specialists.

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Istanbul

Acibadem University

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Prof Vasif Hasirci, one of the leading founder of Biomaterials in Turkey was our host along with Prof Halime. We introduced Research themes and outcome from IRCBM. With his great experience in setting up biomaterials departments and IP exploitation, we look forward towards working closer with him in coming years.

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Istanbul

Bilgi University

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Dr Gulsen Aktas and Dr Ali Deniz hosted us at Istanbul Bilgi University. Dr. Gulsen and we presented our research outcomes. Thanks for their time and making arrangements for the seminar. We also discussed about the possible future collaborations. After the seminar we visited the scientific museum at Bilgi University.

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Istanbul

Bogazici University

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Second meeting was at one of top Turkish university Bogazici University (BU), at Department of Chemistry Prof Amitav Sanyal and Prof Rana Sanyal welcomed us, Dr Muhammad Yar, Dr Mian Hasnain Nawaz and Dr Hamad Khalid presented their research work at a Seminar organized by Department of Chemistry. This was followed by Department of Chemistry research labs and facilities visit. State of the art research facilities have been developed at Bogazici University. A lot of interest was shown by PIs from BU for joint research projects in future and also exchange of researchers. Later got chance to visit Fiber Laser Lab at Physics Department at BU. Dr Parviz Elahi hosted us. Overall it was a very productive day.

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Eskisehir

Eskisehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU)

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Dr Hamad Khalid’s PSF-Tubitak collaborator Dr Mustafa Ozgur Oteyaka was our wonderful host. One day seminar was scheduled at Osmangazi University, Seminar was begun with introductory talk by Dr Mustafa, then Dr Muhammad Yar introduced COMSATS, IRCBM and his research work outcomes, Dr Mian Hasnain Nawaz talked about his research interests and also introduced sensors and biosensor group. Dr Hamad Khalid talked about his research achievements, brief introduction of PSF Tubitak Project. Dr Mustafa colleague and his PhD student also attended this Seminar. A lot of interest was shown by researchers from both Universities for joint research projects in future. Then it was followed by Osmangazi University Hospital experiments labs visits, a number of Professors there introduced their work, and visited super International standard animal house. It is well run by a number of veterinary doctors’ team and other researchers and technicians. A number of good technologies are expected from this ongoing research work.

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Ankara

Hacettepe University Hospital

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We were welcomed by Associate Prof Naside Mangir at Hacettepe University Hospital Ankara, she was very kind to take us to various hospital units. Indeed Hacettepe University has state of the art health care facilities and very well reputed faculty members. She took us to really beautiful National Library outside campus in Ankara. In afternoon a Seminar was organized by Prof Kezban Ulubayram and Dr Naside Mangir from 1:30 PM till 5:30 PM. Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof Dr Gulberk Ucar welcomed us at the seminar. Dr Muhammad Yar, Dr Mian Hasnain Nawaz and Dr Hamad Khalid presented IRCBM and their research interests and outcomes. Prof Ulubayram, Dr Mangir and their colleagues and PhD student presented their research work. From both sides excellent work in the area of Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering and Biosensors was presented. A good level of research collaborations interest was shown from both organizations’ participants.

Research lab visit was also conducted, the hosts kindly elaborated and briefed labs operations and instrument’s working SOPs and procedures. Working mechanism of their clean room was also demonstrated. No doubt one of the best Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering team. There was a dinner from these wonderful collaborators, really enjoyed Turkish food. We look forward towards more productive collaborations.

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Ankara

BIOMATEN at Middle East Technical University (METU)

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IRCBM team including Dr Muhammad Yar, Dr Mian Hasnain Nawaz and Dr Hamad Khalid attended seminar organized by Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (BIOMATEN) at METU. Prof Caner Durucan and Prof Nesrin Hasirci were host. At seminar Prof Nesrin Hasirci introduced Research areas of faculty members at BIOMATEN, this was followed by Dr M Yar, Dr MH Nawaz and Dr H Khalid presentations. This was a very productive sessions and discussed various collaborative research options between METU and IRCBM, a good level of interest was shown from both organizations for future joint research projects submissions and conducting workshops. After seminar it was followed by BIOMATEN and campus visit. BIOMATEN has state of art facilities and well-equipped research labs. METU is overall very well reputed University in Turkey and world. We look forward towards strong collaborations between IRCBM CUI and BIOMATEN METU.

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Nevsehir

Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University

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At Nevsehir University, Dr Fatma Zehra Cocak, Dr. Muhammad Yar’s previous PhD student, graduated from the university of Sheffield was our host. It was an honour and great pleasure to visit her Research labs and discuss potential collaboration Research areas. Dr Muhammad Yar, Dr Mian Hasnain Nawaz and Dr Hamad Khalid represented IRCBM. Dr Fatma Zehra lab is making good progress and building research labs along with her colleagues. Dr F Zehra demonstrated that her university has state of the art techno park which could be a suitable platform incubation of technologies.

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Eskisehir

Bugamed Bioteknoloji

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Bugamed is a Biotechnology company situated in Eskisehir, Turkey. Team CUI including Dr. Mian Hasnain Nawaz (IRCBM, CUI Lahore campus), Mr. Muhammad Atiq-ur-Rehman (CUI) and Dr. Hamad Khalid (IRCBM, CUI, Lahore campus) visited Bugamed on the kind invitation of Ms. Game Kara Megdoen (Founder of Bugamed). Ms. Megdoen warmly received us and after a short introduction a brief visit to the company was arranged. Highly skilled staff of the company described the production and R&D of their products. Then, Ms. Megdoen briefed about her company and products. The company is producing collagen of food and medical grades. After that, Team CUI briefed about their work. In an open discussion the possibility of future collaborations was discussed. At the end a shield was presented to Ms. Megdoen as a token of appreciation.

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Eskisehir

Technical College of Eskisehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU)

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Dr. Mian Hasnain Nawaz, Mr. Atiq ur Rehman and Dr. Hamad Khalid visited technical college of ESOGU. Our host Dr. Mustafa Ozgur Oteyaka took us for a detailed lab tours. There was a discussion about electrospinning machine and hands on training of 3D printer.

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Eskisehir

Eskisehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU) ARUM

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ESOGU ARUM is a centre having centralised characterisation facility. The centre was facilitated with many sophisticated machines e.g., FESEM, TEM, NMR, XRD, XRF, and many more. Prof. Dr. Varun Butun (director of the center) and his team received us and after formal introduction Dr. Hamad Khalid presented about Pakistan, CUI, IRCBM, and his research. Then Dr. Mian Hasnain Nawaz presented his work to the audience. Afterwards Mr. M Atiq Ur Rehman took the dice and explained how Planning and Development section works in CUI. Finally, Prof. Varun presented about his centre and allied facilities and his team showed us around the centre and explain the working of different equipment. Team CUI was thankful to Dr. Mustafa Ozgur Oteyaka for arranging such a fruitful meeting.

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Eskisehir

Eskisehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU) Technology Transfer Office

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Dr. Hamad Khalid, Dr. Mian Hasnain Nawaz, Mr. M Atiq Ur Rehman and Dr. Mustafa Ozgur Oteyaka met with Dr. Sahin Coskun (Director) Technology Transfer Office. During the meeting we discussed different aspects of technology transfer, market trends, IP exploitation and startup companies etc. Once again thanks to our kind host Dr. Mustafa Ozgur Oteyaka.

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Eskisehir

ESOGU International Office

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International office of ESOGU is located in a small building but it is very active. We had a detailed meeting with Ms Murgun and Ms Madina. They briefed us about the ongoing exchange programs and international linkages of ESOGU. There is plenty of room for Pakistani students and researchers, we just need to formalize the university-to-university relationships.

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Eskisehir

Eskisehir Teknik University

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Later, we visited to the faculty of Engineering at Eskisehir Teknik University. Dr Zafar from chemical engineering department briefed us about his group’s research followed by a lab visit. ETU is comparatively new university with plenty of state of the art research labs and very good infrastructure.

At the end, Dr Mustafa Ozgur Oteyaka took us to the tomb of Ertugrul Ghazi at Sogut and the HANLI Bazar. We enjoyed the special Kai Sharbat.

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Sivas Cumhuriyet University

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Prof. Ather Farooq Khan

Prof. Dr. Ather Farooq Khan from IRCBM has an active collaboration with Sivas Cumhuriyet University in Turkey, initiated during his sabbatical visit. This partnership focuses on advancing research in accelerated wound healing through the use of electrical simulations. Together, the collaborators have successfully co-authored several research papers and submitted innovative project proposals to TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey), aiming to secure funding and institutional support. The research explores how electrical stimulation can enhance the healing process, potentially leading to significant improvements in treatment outcomes for patients with chronic wounds.

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Hacettepe University

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This collaborative research initiative was taken by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yar between COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus (Pakistan) and Hacettepe University (Turkey) which aimed to develop an innovative, biocompatible, and mechanically stable synthetic tissue interposition flap (TIF) for the treatment of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).

The project focuses on integrating angiogenic and antimicrobial agents to promote tissue regeneration and antimicrobial protection, addressing both healing and infection control. Advanced bilayer membranes and dissolvable microneedle patch technologies are being designed to enhance localized drug delivery, accelerate wound healing, and reduce dependence on invasive surgical procedures.

This collaboration addresses a critical clinical challenge caused by the limited availability of autologous tissue interposition flaps, which often leads to poor surgical outcomes. Given the global burden of VVF—affecting over 20 million women worldwide with 50,000–100,000 new cases annually (WHO)—this joint effort aims to provide a cost-effective, scalable, and clinically translatable solution, particularly for low-resource settings.

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International Research Support / Visiting Scientist Fellowship – TÜBİTAK, Türkiye

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Dr. Sobia Tabassum was awarded the TÜBİTAK 2221 Visiting Scientist Fellowship (2025, 6th Call) to undertake collaborative research at the Faculty of Dentistry, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Türkiye, hosted by Prof. Dr. Aliye Akcalı, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry and Head of the Departments of Periodontology and Dental Biomaterials.

During the scientific visit, collaborative research was conducted on the CE-DES project, focusing on natural extract–deep eutectic systems integrated into dynamic boronate-crosslinked self-healing hydrogels for periodontitis treatment. Dr. Tabassum also delivered an invited departmental seminar entitled “Sustainable Self-Healing Hydrogels for Periodontitis Treatment.”

The fellowship strengthened research collaboration between IRCBM, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, and Dokuz Eylül University, establishing opportunities for continued joint research in biomaterials, self-healing hydrogels, and periodontal applications.

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Marmara University

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Mr. Muhammad Khaqan Zia, Mrs. Saba Zahid, and Dr. Fakhera Ikram visited Marmara University, Türkiye, under the KA107 Erasmus+ Mobility Grant, as part of an academic and research mobility initiative.

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Yıldız Technical University, Turkey

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Dr. Fakhera Ikram has been awarded the TÜBİTAK 2221 Fellowship (Visiting Scientist Programme) for a research visit to Yıldız Technical University, Türkiye, to collaborate on advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering research. The fellowship will support collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and development of innovative ECM-based biomaterials and 3D bioprinting approaches.

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Istanbul

Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Centre (SUNUM)

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Prof. Usman Latif — MSCA COFUND Fellow

Prof. Usman Latif of the Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, is currently working as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND Fellow at the Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Centre (SUNUM), Istanbul, Türkiye. The fellowship is a competitive, internationally recognized award that supports promising researchers to work in leading research environments across Europe.

His fellowship project focuses on one of the biggest challenges in global healthcare: the early detection of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, claiming about 1.8 million lives every year. A major reason for this high toll is that the disease is usually found only after symptoms appear, when treatment is less effective. Current diagnostic methods such as imaging and biopsy are costly, invasive, and not suitable for routine screening of large populations.

To address this gap, Prof. Latif is developing a next-generation sensor-based diagnostic platform that combines advanced smart materials with artificial intelligence. The aim is a rapid, affordable, and non-invasive tool that can detect lung cancer at an early stage and distinguish between its major types. The use of machine learning also makes the development process faster and more cost-effective.

This work could help make lung cancer screening simple, accessible, and suitable for point-of-care use, including in resource-limited settings. Earlier diagnosis can lead to timely treatment and significantly better survival outcomes for patients. The project also strengthens research collaboration between COMSATS University and Sabancı University, and it reflects the growing role of Pakistani researchers in globally relevant biomedical research.

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Collaborations

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