CRISPR-Advanced Space Technologies Research Team (CRISTAR)
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Team Name
- CRISPR-Advanced Space Technologies Research Team (CRISTAR)
CRISTAR Leaders
- Larasu Davşan (Leader, Biruni University, Molecular Biology and Genetics)
- Batuhan Görkem İrez (Deputy Leader, Biologist)
CRISTAR Forge (R&D Crew)
This team conducts scientific research, experiments and technical development studies. Team members;
- Ayşe Sıla Işık (Eskişehir Teknik Üniversitesi, Biyoloji)
- Hümeyra Yiğit (Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Molecular Biology and Genetics)
- Su Naz Sayın (Eskişehir Technical University, Biology)
CRISTAR SciComm (Science Communication Crew)
This team performs the task of researching scientific articles, summarizing and preparing review articles. MoEP produces content to the web page and creates a science newsletter series for social media. Team members;
- Elif Ferda Akyüz (Bursa Uludağ University, Molacular Biology and Genetics)
- Ezgi Nehir Küçükçelik (Biruni University, Molecular Biology and Genetics)
CRISTAR Apex (Project Crew)
This team manages the project development, planning and implementation processes for TEKNOFEST, TUBITAK and other competitions. Team members;
- Larasu Davşan (Leader, Biruni University, Molecular Biology and Genetics)
- Batuhan Görkem İrez (Deputy Leader, Biologist)
- Belemir Coşdu (Konya Food and Agriculture University, Molecular Biology and Genetics)
- Hilal Nalbant (Istanbul University, Pharmacy / Ege University, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology)
- Nursena Göktaş (Üsküdar University, Molecular Biology and Genetics)
- Sevde Şentürk (Istanbul University, Molecular Biology and Genetics)
About the CRISTAR
The CRISTAR is a team that conducts research on CRISPR. CRISTAR is at the forefront of pioneering research aimed at preparing humanity for sustainable living on Mars and beyond.
CRISPR technology offers a fast, reliable and flexible way of genetic modification, enabling fundamental changes in biological systems. At CRISTAR, we aim to use this technology to increase astronauts’ resilience to the harsh environmental factors they may be exposed to during long-duration space missions.
We are exploring applications of genetic engineering to increase the resilience of biological systems in space in zero gravity and under the influence of radiation, to protect the health of astronauts and to help them perform their missions more efficiently.
Thanks to MoEP’s extensive infrastructure and research support, the CRISTAR team is working on projects that will revolutionize space biology.
Our long-term goal is to sustain human life in space and to develop biotechnological solutions for future space missions with the opportunities offered by CRISPR technology. To this end, we conduct innovation-oriented studies at the intersection of various disciplines such as bioengineering, molecular biology, genetics and space science.
Our core values as a team are scientific progress, innovation and contribution to human health. Aiming to make a significant contribution to the success of future space missions, CRISTAR is committed to advancing MoEP’s vision and developing solutions that will sustain humanity’s presence in space.
CRISTAR’s Mission
The mission of the CRISTAR team is to use CRISPR technology to improve the resilience of astronauts to the harsh environmental conditions they face during long-duration space missions and to develop genetic engineering applications to improve the resilience of biological systems in the space environment.
The team aims to contribute to the sustainability of human life in space by developing solutions to protect the health of astronauts against space challenges such as zero gravity and radiation, and by providing biotechnological innovations for future space missions.
CRISTAR works on revolutionary projects in the field of space biology by adopting scientific progress, innovation and contribution to human health as core values.
CRISTAR’s Research Areas
- CRISPR Technology and Genetic Engineering: CRISTAR aims to make adjustments to genetic structures using CRISPR technology. With these studies, it aims to help astronauts adapt to the harsh environmental conditions in space. Our primary goals are to make biological systems more resilient thanks to CRISPR and to provide a healthier living environment during space missions.
- Biotechnological Applications in Space: Understanding how microorganisms work in the space environment and using these microorganisms to improve the lives of astronauts is one of CRISTAR’s research areas. These studies aim to develop new solutions to meet the basic needs of astronauts such as nutrition and waste recycling.
- Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense: A long stay in space puts serious biological stresses on astronauts. CRISTAR aims to develop solutions to reduce oxidative stress caused by radiation and zero gravity in space. It aims to make astronauts more resilient by strengthening the defense mechanisms of cells through genetic engineering.
- Re-engineering Microorganisms with Synthetic Biology: Genetically re-engineering microorganisms to meet the needs of astronauts is one of CRISTAR’s core research areas. These studies aim to provide biological solutions to astronauts’ daily problems such as nutrition and waste management.
- Sustainable Life on Long-Term Space Missions: CRISTAR is working on closed biosystems to ensure sustainable life on long-term space missions. These systems aim to help astronauts make the most efficient use of their limited resources, thus ensuring the sustainability of long-term missions.
- Space and Human Health: Understanding the effects of the space environment on human health is one of CRISTAR’s key goals. To minimize these effects, we are working to develop genetic solutions and strengthen astronauts’ immune systems. In this way, we aim to ensure that astronauts’ health is protected during long-duration missions.
Importance of CRISTAR
CRISPR technology is a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of genetic engineering, enabling fast, reliable and flexible genetic editing. This technology enables fundamental changes in biological systems, enabling major advances in medical, agricultural and biotechnological fields.
The use of CRISPR in space exploration plays a critical role in protecting the health and performance of astronauts. The importance of CRISPR in space exploration is that it enables genetic modifications to strengthen human biology and increase the resilience of astronauts against these harsh conditions.
For example, using CRISPR, it is possible to impart radiation-resistant genetic traits or make biological changes to minimize bone and muscle loss. Such innovations could ensure the success of missions to distant planets such as Mars and the healthy return of astronauts.
The CRISTAR team is of great importance in this context. The team’s goal is to minimize the negative effects astronauts face in the space environment through CRISPR technology and to advance this technology to advanced levels in space biology.
CRISTAR has the potential to contribute to humanity’s sustainable existence in space by producing innovative solutions at the intersection between genetic engineering, biotechnology and space sciences. These studies play a vital role for the success of future space missions.