In our laboratory, pancreatic beta cells were isolated for the first time in Turkey and studies were carried out at the single cell level with long-term culture applications. The molecular mechanisms affecting beta-cells in diabetes are investigated in the context of cell death, damage and repair pathways. Our research group, which has been working in vitro with primary pancreatic beta-cells and pancreatic islet-derived progenitor cells isolated from experimental hyperglycemic and

diabetic animals for many years, aims to make a fundamental contribution to therapeutic approaches for human health and to put studies into practice by creating a bridge between basic and clinical sciences. In this context, 1 European patent and 3 national patents were obtained and articles were published in many high-impact international journals. The central roles of cell plasticity in the pancreas during the development of Type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer; in the liver during the development of NAFLD/NASH; in brain in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and the relevant molecular mechanisms are being investigated within the scope of 2 national and 2 international outsourced projects supported by TÜSEB and TÜBİTAK.