The project titled "Investigation of the Role of PLIN2-Mediated Lipophagy Disorder in Age-Related Macular Degeneration on Ferroptosis and Neovascular Response with In Vitro Approaches," led by Assist.Prof.Dr.  Berire Şeyma Durmuş Ece, a faculty member of Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, has been granted support under the Türkiye Scientific and Technological Research Institution (TÜBİTAK) 1002-A Rapid Support Module.

In the project, which will be carried out for 12 months, support of 150.000 TL will be provided. Among the faculty members of the Faculty of Medicine, Assist.Prof.Dr. Hakan Küçüksayan serves as the advisor, while Associate Professor Uğur Akpulat, Dr. İremnur Altındaş, and Dr. Kudret Envar İkikardeş serve as the researchers.

Within the scope of the project, the cellular mechanisms involved in the development of age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss, will be examined. In particular, the processes of fat metabolism, cellular damage, the cell life cycle, and new vessel formation in retinal cells will be investigated in detail.

The findings aim to contribute to the scientific knowledge base on the mechanisms of retinal disease development and lay the groundwork for the development of new approaches to the early diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration in the long term. 

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, stated that the high-quality research conducted in the field of health contributes both nationally and internationally. Congratulating the academics conducting the project, our Rector stated that the support provided for scientific research activities increases our University's research capacity and academic visibility. 

Our Rector, who also emphasized the importance of support for scientific research and projects in higher education, expressed his gratitude to YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, YÖK members, and TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın for their contributions.