A conference titled “Are We Ready for Future Pandemics” was held within the scope of the second National Molecular Biology and Genetics Student Congress, organized in collaboration with the ETU Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and the Genetics Club, with the participation of nearly 500 students and academicians from across Turkey.

ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak, Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, academicians and many students attended the program held in the ETU Faculty of Science Conference Hall.

Speaking at the program, Atatürk University President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu emphasized that molecular biology and genetics are the science of the future and said: “Just as Türkiye’s geopolitical and demographic power will be decisive for the world in the future, molecular biology will also be at the center of the scientific world. Today, more than half of the publications in the field of pharmacology have become related to molecular biology. This rate will reach 70-80% in the coming years.” Stating that the material value of molecular biological products is rapidly increasing in Türkiye, President Hacımüftüoğlu said that biotechnological production will have a much larger share in the future. Praising the program, which was followed with great interest by students and academicians, President Hacımüftüoğlu thanked all students and academicians who contributed to the organization of such a high-quality and rich-content congress in Erzurum.

Following Rector Hacımüftüoğlu, Erciyes University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Aykut Özdarendeli, who played a leading role in the development of the TURKOVAC vaccine, took the floor with his presentation titled “Are We Ready for Future Pandemics?” and made important assessments about the lessons learned from past pandemics, possible future global health crises, and Türkiye's preparation for these processes.

Özdarendeli, who touched upon past pandemics with examples from history in his speech, explained the traces left on humanity by pandemics such as plague, smallpox, cholera, influenza and HIV. He drew attention to the increase in zoonotic diseases (transmitted from animals to humans), and said that intervention in nature and the ecosystem paves the way for new epidemics.

The program, which continued with a question and answer session, ended with ETÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak and Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu presenting a plaque to Özdarendeli and taking a souvenir photo.

 Corporate Communications Directorate 02.05.2025