The R&D project of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) has received substantial funding of nearly 2 million Turkish Lira under the TÜBİTAK support program, marking a significant milestone in their scientific endeavors. The project, known as the "Diagnostic Suitcase," developed by the faculty’s academics, was deemed worthy of this support by TÜBİTAK ARDEB.
In a collaboration between The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) and the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), focused on output-oriented and holistic management of opportunities in Turkey's agricultural research and development (R&D) and innovation ecosystem, the scientific evaluations of proposed projects under the “1003-Agricultural Research Joint Call” have been completed.
Of the 192 project proposals submitted under this call, 186 underwent scientific evaluation, and 28 were selected for funding. In this context, the project titled "Development of a Nucleic Acid-Based Duplex Lateral Flow Assay Kit Against Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus and Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus" from OMU was the only project from the university to be funded, receiving a budget of approximately 2 million TL.
The intellectual property rights of this R&D project belong to Prof. Dr. Harun Albayrak and Dr. Lecturer Cüneyt Tamer from the Virology Department of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The project team also includes Prof. Dr. Zafer Yazıcı, Prof. Dr. Semra Gümüşova, Dr. Research Assistant Bahadır Müftüoğlu, Research Assistant Hanne Nur Kuruçay, and Research Assistant Seda Gözel.
Additionally, Dr. Hamza Kadı from the Samsun Veterinary Control Institute Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, along with veterinarians Fatih Doğan and Serdar Yıldırım, will participate in the project.
The 'Diagnostic Suitcase' to be developed through this project is aimed at facilitating rapid and reliable diagnosis of significant viral fish diseases in the field. Planned to be completed in 36 months, the project's goal is to prepare a suitcase using the diagnostic kit, serving as a kind of mini mobile laboratory for easy use in the field.
This 'Diagnostic Suitcase' will enable quick and easy diagnosis in the field, particularly enhancing the productivity of small-scale producers. Early decisions can be made about infectious agents, allowing for monitoring viral factors in aquaculture and reducing economic risks and threats producers face.
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