Supported by the 6550 Research Infrastructure Support Law, faculty member of Bilkent University’s National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM) Asst. Prof. Urartu Şeker was awarded the “TÜBA Special Award for Combating the COVID-19 Global Epidemic.” The award was granted by the TÜBA Academy Council to encourage, support, and honour scientists who stand out with their high-quality scientific studies focused on developing original methods and products for all stages—from diagnosis to treatment—in the fight against the COVID-19 global epidemic. Asst. Prof. Şeker was awarded first prize in the field of diagnosis with his work entitled “Development of RNA Switch Systems for SARS-COV-2 Diagnosis.”
Asst. Prof. Urartu Şeker and his team developed the device used in the detection of coronavirus using synthetic biology and advanced genetic engineering methods. The diagnosis system, supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK), has been converted into a device with 3D technology. The diagnosis of COVID-19 can be made approximately 40-45 minutes after the samples taken from the patients are placed in the device.
