Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, GEBI, TUBITAK – (Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council is the Parent Organization) is an acclaimed institute performing multidisciplinary basic and applied research. GEBI Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory has expertise in human vascular tissue and cell biology, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry. Kartal Kosuyolu Advanced Training and Research Hospital (Kartal Kosuyolu ATR Hospital) is a 400 bed hospital in Istanbul in which over 4000 cardiovascular surgical operations are performed per year. Dr. M. Altuğ Tunçer is responsible for aortic aneurysm and dissection operations. Facilities description Group in GEBI: Fully equipped tissue culture and molecular biology lab, w. 2 PCR equipment, gel electrophoresis systems, image analysis system, -80 0C freezer, class II sterile cabinet, CO2 incubator, liquid nitrogen tanks, access to Beckman PF 2D proteomics system, BioRad real-time PCR, Agilent Bioanalyser, Beckman DNA Sequencer, Kartal Kosuyolu ATR Hospital 2 intensive care units, 14 operating rooms (2 dedicated to vascular), 5 angiography chambers.

Tasks in FAD:

Human databases Sampling and banking of biological material such as DNA, RNA, protein, tissue, cells, serum, plasma. Follow-up of treated aneurysms, endoleaks, follow-up of specific groups (AAA in women, multiple localizations, informative families). Cell and Molec. Mech. Collection and study of smooth muscle cells from aneurysms. Gene and protein expression in SMCs in vitro. Work on MMP, Ang II, statins, apoptosis, anoikis, gender effects. Diagnosis. Validation of new biomarkers. Characterization of new surrogate markers by proteomics using Beckman PF 2D. Therapy. biopolymers, progenitor cells.

Members of the FAD staff • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemal Baysal – MD, PhD – Biochemistry, cell biology, • Dr. Oksan Karal-Yilmaz – PhD – Polymer chemistry, biomaterials. Dr. Zehra Nurgul Pamuklar – MD, PhD – Molecular biology, cell biology, WP1,2,3,4 (♀). Müge Serhatlı – MSc – biochemistry, Zelal Adiguzel – MSc – molecular biology, Omer Kacar – technician,. • Dr. M. Altuğ Tunçer – MD – Cardiovascular Surgery. • Prof. Dr. Cevat Yakut – MD, Dr. Serpil Taş – MD, Dr. Eylem Tunçer – MD, Dr. Çetin Murat Songur – MD - Cardiovascular Surgery, WP1. Dr. Ayse Baysal – MD, Anesthesiology.

Main publication/patent linked to FAD tasks

1. Correlation between sustained c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase activation and apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-α in rat mesangial cells. Y. Guo, K. Baysal, B. Kang, L.J. Yang, J.R. Williamson (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273; 4027-34. 2. Isolation and Culture of Adult and Fetal Rabbit Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells and Their Interaction With Biopolymers. M. Korkmaz, B. H. Güvenç, A. Bilir, O. Karal-Yılmaz, A. Kumbasar, J. Caferler, K. Baysal (2003) British Journal of Pediatric Surgery Vol.38, no1; 21-24. 3. Oestrogen receptors and cardiovascular disease. K. Baysal, D.W. Losordo (1996) Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 23; 537-48. 4. Surgical management of coronary malperfusion due to type a aortic dissection. Eren E, Toker ME, Tunçer A, Keles C, Erdogan H, Anasiz H, Güler M, Balkanay M, Ipek G, Alp M, Yakut C. (2007) J Card Surg. 22:2-6.