MEİTAM Center Member Dr. F. Defne YALDIZ Receives TÜBİTAK 3501 Support

    The project titled "Development of a Molecular Impression (MIP) Based Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) Biosensor for Rapid and In-Situ Detection of Alcohol Biomarkers (EtG/EtS) in Urine," led by Lecturer Dr. F. Defne Yaldız from Mersin University Advanced Technology Education Research and Application Center (MEİTAM), has been awarded funding under the TÜBİTAK 3501 Career Development Program.

    Ethyl alcohol, a widespread addictive substance worldwide, is among the main causes of traffic accidents, occupational safety risks, and public health problems. Within the scope of this 24-month project, a Molecular Impression (MIP) based Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) biosensor will be developed to rapidly, selectively, and reliably detect ethylglucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS), which are reliable biomarkers of alcohol consumption. The analytical performance of the developed biosensor will be validated using the reference method, LC-MS/MS.

    The project, which will be carried out with the contribution of different universities, includes Dr. Semra Akgönüllü (Hacettepe University) and Dr. Pınar Efeoğlu Özşeker (Çukurova University) as researchers, and Prof. Dr. Dilek Battal (Mersin University) as a consultant. The developed biosensor technology is expected to offer a powerful and applicable alternative solution to existing diagnostic approaches in fields such as forensic toxicology, clinical monitoring, and traffic control.