Research on a new molecule for HIV in the MAKÜ Faculty of Arts and Sciences laboratory

Prof. Dr. Halilibrahim Çiftçi, a faculty member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ), continues his drug development studies for HIV in the laboratory he established at the university. 

Çiftçi and his team, who will start their duties at MAKÜ at the end of 2024, aim to develop a substance called HIPPO to prevent the virus from exiting the cell it is located in. 

Artificial intelligence is utilized in drug research 

The team is working on making the substance used in the research more effective and easier to deliver into the cell by utilizing computer studies supported by artificial intelligence. 

The project, which was initiated during Çiftçi's research in Japan, was developed with projects supported by TÜBİTAK and the European Union in Turkey. Çiftçi is transferring the experience he gained during this process to the laboratory studies at MAKÜ today. 

Çiftçi stated that a significant part of the laboratory was established with resources provided by the Science Farm company founded in Japan, and that drug research for other diseases such as cancer is also being conducted here. 

The goal is to prevent the virus from spreading to other cells 

The drugs used in HIV treatment help control the disease by limiting the replication of the virus. Research aimed at completely eliminating the virus from the body is ongoing. 

In the work of Çiftçi and his team, an approach is being investigated to prevent newly formed viruses from exiting the cells they are located in. Thus, it is aimed to prevent their spread to other cells. 

The research also focuses on eliminating virus-carrying cells along with the viruses inside them. 

Not yet tested on humans 

The study is ongoing in the laboratory environment. Further research is needed to determine whether the substance, which has not yet been tested on humans, is effective and safe in treatment. 

Çiftçi and his team aim to develop a drug that can be used in HIV treatment with the studies they are conducting at MAKÜ.