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    PublicationOpen Access
    3D bioprinted organ?on?chips
    (Wiley, 2022) Mustafaoğlu, Nur; Zhang, Yu Shrike; Department of Mechanical Engineering; N/A; N/A; Dabbagh, Sajjad Rahmani; Sarabi, Misagh Rezapour; Birtek, Mehmet Tuğrul; Taşoğlu, Savaş; Faculty Member; Department of Mechanical Engineering; KU Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR) / KU Arçelik Yaratıcı Endüstriler Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (KUAR); Koç Üniversitesi İş Bankası Yapay Zeka Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (KUIS AI)/ Koç University İş Bank Artificial Intelligence Center (KUIS AI); College of Engineering; Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; N/A; N/A; N/A; 291971
    Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) platforms recapitulate human in vivo-like conditions more realistically compared to many animal models and conventional two-dimensional cell cultures. OOC setups benefit from continuous perfusion of cell cultures through microfluidic channels, which promotes cell viability and activities. Moreover, microfluidic chips allow the integration of biosensors for real-time monitoring and analysis of cell interactions and responses to administered drugs. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting enables the fabrication of multicell OOC platforms with sophisticated 3D structures that more closely mimic human tissues. 3D-bioprinted OOC platforms are promising tools for understanding the functions of organs, disruptive influences of diseases on organ functionality, and screening the efficacy as well as toxicity of drugs on organs. Here, common 3D bioprinting techniques, advantages, and limitations of each method are reviewed. Additionally, recent advances, applications, and potentials of 3D-bioprinted OOC platforms for emulating various human organs are presented. Last, current challenges and future perspectives of OOC platforms are discussed.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    3D-printed microneedles in biomedical applications
    (Elsevier, 2021) Rahbarghazi, Reza; Yetişen, Ali Kemal; N/A; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Dabbagh, Sajjad Rahmani; Sarabi, Misagh Rezapour; Sokullu, Emel; Taşoğlu, Savaş; Faculty Member; Faculty Member; Department of Mechanical Engineering; KU Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR) / KU Arçelik Yaratıcı Endüstriler Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (KUAR); Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM) / Koç Üniversitesi Translasyonel Tıp Araştırma Merkezi (KUTTAM); Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; School of Medicine; College of Engineering; N/A; N/A; 163024; 291971
    Conventional needle technologies can be advanced with emerging nano- and micro-fabrication methods to fabricate microneedles. Nano-/micro-fabricated microneedles seek to mitigate penetration pain and tissue damage, as well as providing accurately controlled robust channels for administrating bioagents and collecting body fluids. Here, design and 3D printing strategies of microneedles are discussed with emerging applications in biomedical devices and healthcare technologies. 3D printing offers customization, cost-efficiency, a rapid turnaround time between design iterations, and enhanced accessibility. Increasing the printing resolution, the accuracy of the features, and the accessibility of low-cost raw printing materials have empowered 3D printing to be utilized for the fabrication of microneedle platforms. The development of 3D-printed microneedles has enabled the evolution of pain-free controlled release drug delivery systems, devices for extracting fluids from the cutaneous tissue, biosignal acquisition, and point-of-care diagnostic devices in personalized medicine.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    3D-printed microrobots from design to translation
    (Nature Portfolio, 2022) Department of Mechanical Engineering; N/A; Dabbagh, Sajjad Rahmani; Sarabi, Misagh Rezapour; Birtek, Mehmet Tuğrul; Sitti, Metin; Taşoğlu, Savaş; Faculty Member; Faculty Member; Department of Mechanical Engineering; KU Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR) / KU Arçelik Yaratıcı Endüstriler Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (KUAR); Koç Üniversitesi İş Bankası Yapay Zeka Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (KUIS AI)/ Koç University İş Bank Artificial Intelligence Center (KUIS AI); Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM) / Koç Üniversitesi Translasyonel Tıp Araştırma Merkezi (KUTTAM); Graduate School of Health Sciences; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; School of Medicine; College of Engineering; N/A; N/A; N/A; N/A; 297104; 291971
    Microrobots have attracted the attention of scientists owing to their unique features to accomplish tasks in hard-to-reach sites in the human body. Microrobots can be precisely actuated and maneuvered individually or in a swarm for cargo delivery, sampling, surgery, and imaging applications. In addition, microrobots have found applications in the environmental sector (e.g., water treatment). Besides, recent advancements of three-dimensional (3D) printers have enabled the high-resolution fabrication of microrobots with a faster design-production turnaround time for users with limited micromanufacturing skills. Here, the latest end applications of 3D printed microrobots are reviewed (ranging from environmental to biomedical applications) along with a brief discussion over the feasible actuation methods (e.g., on- and off-board), and practical 3D printing technologies for microrobot fabrication. In addition, as a future perspective, we discussed the potential advantages of integration of microrobots with smart materials, and conceivable benefits of implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as physical intelligence (PI). Moreover, in order to facilitate bench-to-bedside translation of microrobots, current challenges impeding clinical translation of microrobots are elaborated, including entry obstacles (e.g., immune system attacks) and cumbersome standard test procedures to ensure biocompatibility.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A clinical scoring system to predict the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
    (Thieme Medical Publishers, 2015) Hayran, Mutlu; Derin, Hatice; Ovalı, Fahri; N/A; Gürsoy, Tuğba; Faculty Member; School of Medicine; 214691
    Objective: This study aims to develop a scoring system for the prediction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: Medical records of 652 infants whose gestational age and birth weight were below 32 weeks and 1,500g, respectively, and who survived beyond 28th postnatal day were reviewed retrospectively. Logistic regression methods were used to determine the clinical and demographic risk factors within the first 72 hours of life associated with BPD, as well as the weights of these factors on developing BPD. Predictive accuracy of the scoring system was tested prospectively at the same unit. ResultsBirth weight, gestational age, gender, presence of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypotension were the most important risk factors for BPD. Therefore, a scoring system (BPD-TM score) ranging from 0 to 13 and grouped in four tiers (0-3: low, 4-6: low intermediate, 7-9: high intermediate, and 10-13: high risk) was developed based on these factors. Below the score of 4, 4.1% of infants (18/436), above the score of 9, 100% (29/29) of the infants developed BPD. The score was validated successfully in 172 infants. Conclusion: With this easy to use scoring system, one can predict the neonate at risk for BPD at 72 hours of life and direct preventive measures toward these infants.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A combined VBM and DTI study of schizophrenia: bilateral decreased insula volume and cerebral white matter disintegrity corresponding to subinsular white matter projections unlinked to clinical symptomatology
    (Aves, 2017) Ulaşoğlu-Yıldız, Çiğdem; Aslan, Selçuk; Talı, Erhan Turgut; N/A; N/A; Onay, Aslıhan; Eser, Hale Yapıcı; Faculty Member; School of Medicine; N/A; 134359
    PURPOSE: Grey matter and white matter changes within the brain are well defined in schizophrenia. However, most studies focused on either grey matter changes or white matter integrity separately; only in limited number of studies these changes were interpreted in the same frame. In addition, the relationship of these findings with clinical variables is not clearly established. Here, we aimed to investigate the grey matter and white matter changes in schizophrenia patients and exhibit the relation of these imaging findings with clinical variables. METHODS: A total of 20 schizophrenia patients and 16 matched healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the grey matter and white matter alterations that occur in schizophrenia patients using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and whole brain voxel-wise analysis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters with SPM8, respectively. While the preprocessing steps ofVBM were performed with the default parameters of VBM8 toolbox, the preprocessing steps of DTI were carried out using FSL. Additionally, VBM results were correlated with clinical variables. RESULTS: Bilateral insula showed decreased grey matter volume in schizophrenia patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01). The opposite contrast did not show a significant difference. Psychiatric scores, duration of illness, and age were not correlated with the decreased grey matter volume of insula in schizophrenia patients. DTI analysis revealed a significant increase in mean, radial, and axial diffusivity, mainly of the fibers of bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus with left predominance, which intersected with bilateral subinsular white matter (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that insula may be the main affected brain region in schizophrenia, which is also well supported by the literature. Our results were independent of disease duration and schizophrenia symptoms. White matter alterations were observed within bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus that intersects with subinsular white matter. Studies with larger sample sizes and more detailed clinical assessments are required to understand the function of insula in the neurobiology of schizophrenia.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A common genetic variation of melanoma inhibitory activity-2 labels a subtype of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with high endoplasmic reticulum stress levels.
    (Nature Publishing Group (NPG), 2015) Kong, Bo; Wu, Weiwei; Valkovska, Nataliya; Jager, Carsten; Hong, Xin; Nitsche, Ulrich; Friess, Helmut; Esposito, Irene; Kleeff, Joerg; Michalski, Christoph W.; N/A; Erkan, Murat Mert; Faculty Member; School of Medicine; 214689
    HNF1 homeoboxA(HNF1A)-mediated gene expression constitutes an essential component of the secretory pathway in the exocrine pancreas. Melanoma inhibitory activity 2 (MIA2), a protein facilitating protein secretion, is an HNF1A target. Protein secretion is precisely coordinated by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/unfolded protein response (UPR) system. Here, we demonstrate that HNFA and MIA2 are expressed in a subset of human PDAC tissues and that HNF1A induced MIA2 in vitro. We identified a common germline variant of MIA2 (c.A617G:p.I141M) associated with a secretory defect of the MIA2 protein in PDAC cells. Patients carrying MIA2(I141M) survived longer after tumor resection but the survival benefit was restricted to those patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. The MIA2(I141M) variant was associated with high expression of ER stress/UPR genes - in particular those of the ERN1/XBP arm - in human PDAC samples. Accordingly, PDAC cell lines expressing the MIA2(I141M) variant expressed high levels of ERN1 and were more sensitive to gemcitabine. These findings define an interaction between the common MIA2(I141M) variant and the ER stress/UPR system and specify a subgroup of PDAC patients who are more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A critical game for collective interactions around money
    (CEUR-WS, 2021) Department of Media and Visual Arts; N/A; Subaşı, Özge; Apaydın, Pınar; Faculty Member; Department of Media and Visual Arts; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities; 240920; N/A
    This paper introduces a critical play experience, Survival of the Fittest?*, that challenges people to economically survive by generating alternative ideas on how and when to cooperate. Games set a definite environment to achieve, compete, socialize and exchange ideas. Play adds to the game environment by allowing players to generate their terms and critically evaluate the designated rules for them. In this work, benefiting from an unfinished co-play setting, we aim to learn from players’ experiences on collectively arranging and organizing their resources around a similar cause. This setting allows for an exploration of moral boundaries of economic interactions and the role of technologies. We further reflect on how players manage their shared resources, form relationships, re-interpret existing systems and examine analog and digital technologies.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A diversity combination model incorporating an inward bias for interaural time-level difference cue integration in sound lateralization
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2020) N/A; Department of Computer Engineering; Mojtahedi, Sina; Erzin, Engin; Ungan, Pekcan; Faculty Member; Faculty Member; Department of Computer Engineering; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; College of Engineering; School of Medicine; N/A; 34503; N/A
    A sound source with non-zero azimuth leads to interaural time level differences (ITD and ILD). Studies on hearing system imply that these cues are encoded in different parts of the brain, but combined to produce a single lateralization percept as evidenced by experiments indicating trading between them. According to the duplex theory of sound lateralization, ITD and ILD play a more significant role in low-frequency and high-frequency stimulations, respectively. In this study, ITD and ILD, which were extracted from a generic head-related transfer functions, were imposed on a complex sound consisting of two low- and seven high-frequency tones. Two-alternative forced-choice behavioral tests were employed to assess the accuracy in identifying a change in lateralization. Based on a diversity combination model and using the error rate data obtained from the tests, the weights of the ITD and ILD cues in their integration were determined by incorporating a bias observed for inward shifts. The weights of the two cues were found to change with the azimuth of the sound source. While the ILD appears to be the optimal cue for the azimuths near the midline, the ITD and ILD weights turn to be balanced for the azimuths far from the midline.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A homozygous loss-of-function CAMK2A mutation causes growth delay, frequent seizures and severe intellectual disability
    (eLife Sciences Publications, 2018) Chia, Poh Hui; Zhong, Franklin Lei; Niwa, Shinsuke; Bonnard, Carine; Utami, Kagistia Hana; Zhang, Ruizhu; Lee, Hane; Eskin, Ascia; Nelson, Stanley F.; Xie, William H.; Al-Tawalbeh, Samah; El-Khateeb, Mohammad; Shboul, Mohammad; Pouladi, Mahmoud A.; Al-Raqad, Mohammad; N/A; Reversade, Bruno; Faculty Member; School of Medicine
    Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMK2) plays fundamental roles in synaptic plasticity that underlies learning and memory. Here, we describe a new recessive neurodevelopmental syndrome with global developmental delay, seizures and intellectual disability. Using linkage analysis and exome sequencing, we found that this disease maps to chromosome 5q31.1-q34 and is caused by a biallelic germline mutation in CAMK2A. The missense mutation, p. His477Tyr is located in the CAMK2A association domain that is critical for its function and localization. Biochemically, the p.His477Tyr mutant is defective in self-oligomerization and unable to assemble into the multimeric holoenzyme.ln vivo, CAMK2A(H477Y) failed to rescue neuronal defects in C. elegans lacking unc-43, the ortholog of human CAMK2A. In vitro, neurons derived from patient iPSCs displayed profound synaptic defects. Together, our data demonstrate that a recessive germline mutation in CAMK2A leads to neurodevelopmental defects in humans and suggest that dysfunctional CAMK2 paralogs may contribute to other neurological disorders.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A journey from microenvironment to macroenvironment: the role of metaflammation and epigenetic changes in cardiorenal disease
    (Oxford University Press (OUP), 2019) Sağ, Alan A.; Ortiz, Alberto; Kuwabara, Masanari; Covic, Adrian; Wiecek, Andrzej; Stenvinkel, Peter; Afşar, Barış; N/A; Kanbay, Mehmet; Yerlikaya, Aslıhan; Faculty Member; Undergraduate Student; School of Medicine; 110580; N/A
    Chronic non-communicable diseases have become a pandemic public problem in the 21st century, causing enormous burden on the economy, health and quality of life of societies. The role of a chronic inflammatory state in the pathogenesis of chronic disease has been more comprehensively recognized by recent findings. The new paradigm 'metaflammation' focuses on metabolism-induced (high fat or fructose-based diet or excessive calorie intake) chronic inflammation. There is a close correlation between the increased incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic heart failure with both increased inflammatory marker levels and western-type diet. In this review we describe the concept of metaflammation, its role in the development of CKD and chronic heart disease, the molecular and signalling pathways involved and the therapeutic consequences.