A TÜBİTAK project being conducted at Hitit University aims to develop biomaterials that will heal damaged tissue resulting from heart attacks.
The project, led by Associate Professor Dr. Bengi Özkahraman, a faculty member in Polymer Materials Engineering at Hitit University, has been awarded funding under the TÜBİTAK 1002 Rapid Support Program.
The project, to be carried out within Hitit University, which specializes in machine and manufacturing technologies, aims to develop protein-based cardiac patches that mimic heart tissue to heal damaged tissue after a heart attack.
Project leader Associate Professor Dr. Bengi Özkahraman stated that the number of people experiencing heart attacks has increased recently worldwide, especially in Turkey, and that this significantly reduces the quality of life for these individuals. She noted that damaged heart tissue after a heart attack cannot regenerate itself, which can lead to serious complications such as heart failure.
Özkahraman noted that studies on biomaterials aim to improve the quality of life for people after illness and stated that they prepared the project with this motivation, saying:
“In this project, protein-based cardiac patches that mimic heart tissue in terms of physiological, mechanical, and conductivity properties will be obtained, and their potential for use will be investigated. It is thought that the patch, when placed in the damaged area of the heart, could play a role in healing tissue damage caused by a heart attack and subsequently reducing the burden on the heart.”
Özkahraman continued by stating that with the successful completion of the project, an alternative product capable of regenerating damaged heart tissue will be obtained in the field of biomaterial technologies.
