TÜBİTAK 2223 D-Seminars on Cell Membrane and Ion Channels took place on 26th September in Istanbul Medipol University South Campus Conference Hall organised by Medipol SABITA with a team leaded by Dr. Şerife Yerlikaya.
Ion channels contribute to various processes in human body from outside to the inside, from whole-cell behaviour to the most intracellular activities. This meeting included 2 lectures on cell membrane and ion channels and a workshop on “genetically encoded biosensors and chemogenetic tools”. First to set the scene, Dr. William Brackenbury gave a lecture on “Sodium channels and the tumour ionic microenvironment”. As expected, this was an excellent talk regarding the importance of tumour acidosis increasing voltage-gated sodium channels activity which in turn further promotes extracellular acidification, contributing to the formation of cellular invasion. Second, Dr. Damian Bell gave a lecture which we think fits the themes and objectives of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey international research projects to promote innovative and collaborative science within and between academia and industry. He mentioned on Automated Patch Clamp (APC) Applications on ion channels research to make a confluence between academia&industry. He gave some key examples from industry & academia about APC usage which being applied in ion channel physiology, pharmacology & disease. In the last part of the event, Dr. Emrah Eroglu organised a highly prestigious workshop titled as “Precision insights: genetically encoded biosensors and chemogenetic tools for dynamic cellular oxidative stress and pH monitoring”. He highlighted the importance of the world of chemogenetics and development of a novel chemogenetic approach to manipulate intracellular pH.