31.10.2026 10:11
High school students İrfan Sefiloğlu and İrem Alparslan at Erzurum Remzi Sakaoğlu BİLSEM developed a biotechnological hydrogel for wound healing from the venom of the Cuban tarantula, inspired by the bedsores that formed in Sefiloğlu's grandmother who was in intensive care. The project, which obtained positive results at certain doses in cell experiments, became the second in Turkey at the TÜBİTAK final; the students will represent Turkey at Regeneron ISEF in the US in 2027.
Erzurum Remzi Sakaoğlu Science and Art Center (BİLSEM) students İrfan Sefiloğlu and İrem Alparslan developed a biotechnological hydrogel for the healing of wounds that form in long-term bedridden patients, using bioactive components of tarantula venom. The students, who placed second in the TÜBİTAK competition, will represent Turkey with their project at the 2027 International Regeneron ISEF Science Competition.
Remzi Sakaoğlu BİLSEM students İrfan Sefiloğlu and İrem Alparslan, under the guidance of their advisor teacher Mustafa Akay, started a study aimed at healing pressure sores that occur in long-term bedridden patients. Within the scope of the project, which began after Sefiloğlu was affected by the wounds that formed in his grandmother, who stayed in intensive care for about 2 months, the students investigated the potential effects of bioactive components in spider venom on tissue regeneration.
In their literature reviews, the students determined that spider venom is used as a biological agent in different fields, and they focused especially on investigating its effects on wound healing and cellular regeneration. In the study, venom from the species 'Tarantula cubensis', known as the Cuban tarantula, was used.
Because there is no center in Turkey for milking spider venom, the students processed the venom in the solution they obtained through various procedures to obtain raw spider venom. Then, through experiments at different doses, the effects of the obtained components on cellular tissue regeneration were examined. The research and analysis stages of the project were carried out at Atatürk University East Anatolia High Technology Research Center (DAYTAM). Associate Professor Nihal Şimşek Özek and Associate Professor Ferhunde Aysin provided academic support to the students in laboratory work, experimental processes, and technical applications.
During the study, which lasted about 5 months, cell experiments were carried out, and in line with the results obtained, a biotechnological hydrogel was developed. The students turned their project, in which they obtained positive results for wound healing at certain doses, into a report and applied to the TÜBİTAK competition.
THEY BECAME SECOND IN TURKEY
İrfan Sefiloğlu and İrem Alparslan, who won first place in the regional competition, became second in Turkey among 24 projects in the TÜBİTAK Turkey final. Then, the students participated in an online interview held within the scope of the International Regeneron ISEF and, as a result of the evaluation, earned the right to represent Turkey in the competition to be held in the USA in 2027.
THE PROJECT'S STARTING POINT WAS HIS GRANDMOTHER'S WOUNDS
Stating that the starting point of the project was the health process experienced by his grandmother, İrfan Sefiloğlu said, "My grandmother had an intensive care period of about 2 months. During this process, wounds commonly known as 'bedsores' formed. After observing them closely, I wanted to find a solution to this. The birth of the project was about finding a solution to these wounds. We saw that spider venom is used as a biological agent in different fields. We saw that there was a big gap in the literature on this subject. In the laboratory studies where we used tarantula spider venom, we conducted wound healing experiments. We determined that the gel we obtained was healing at certain doses. With the study we conducted, we became second in Turkey in the TÜBİTAK competition. Now we are preparing for the competition in the USA with great motivation. We are going to America as a national team. We aim to carry our flag at the highest place. I think we need to make a contribution to our homeland and nation. We want to return with the gold medal," he said.
İrem Alparslan, on the other hand, stated that the study began with the aim of finding a solution to bedsores and said the following:
"We conducted the necessary literature research. Using tarantula venom, we investigated its wound-healing effects and obtained a product. We applied to the competition with the product we produced. We won first place in the regional competition. Then we went to the Turkey finals and became second in Turkey there. Fourteen projects from Turkey were to go to the 2027 International Regeneron ISEF Science Competition. We were subjected to an interview. With the success we achieved in the interview, we earned the right to represent Turkey in America. Our goal is always to be first. We want to return to our country with a gold medal."
THE TARGET IS A GOLD MEDAL FROM THE USA
Associate Professor Nihal Şimşek Özek, who provided academic support to the students at DAYTAM, stated that they were very excited by the scientific curiosity of high school students and said, "They said they wanted to study the wound healing of spider venom. The young people had no laboratory experience. First, we worked on topics such as occupational safety and which experiments would be done in the laboratory. We have a very good infrastructure at DAYTAM. We wanted to transfer our knowledge both technically and scientifically to the young people. It was truly very exciting. They carried out all the experimental processes together with us," she said.
Associate Professor Ferhunde Aysin also stated that the study lasted about 5 months and said, "We did the cell studies. We expect the best result from our friends in America. Because they put in a lot of effort. They came to us with a beautiful idea. If it weren't for their idea, we could not have provided them with support. We worked all together, and with their efforts we reached this result. Now we expect the best result from them in America as well," she said.