The project titled "Investigation of the Inhibitory Effects of Necrostatin-1 on Necroptosis and Ferroptosis via MAPK in the Pathogenesis of Diabetes and Sunitinib-Induced Liver and Kidney Damage," led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Funda Terzi, a faculty member of the Department of Veterinary Pathology at Kastamonu University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, has been awarded support under the TÜSEB 2026-A4 Project Call for Academics.

In the project, which will last for one year and be supported with 485,000 TL, Assist.Prof.Dr. Sedat Gökmen, a faculty member of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the Preclinical Sciences Department, and Research Assistant İlayda Yıldırım from the Department of Pathology also participate as researchers.

Diabetes and cancer are among the health issues whose prevalence has been increasing worldwide in recent years. Within the scope of the project, the role of the Necrostatin-1 molecule in reducing or preventing the toxic effects of sunitinib, used in the treatment of diabetes complications and cancer, will be investigated. In the study, the mechanisms by which this effect occurs at the cellular level will also be examined.

In the study, the molecular mechanisms underlying liver and kidney damage in diabetic cancer patients undergoing sunitinib treatment will be examined; at the preclinical level, the protective effect of Necrostatin-1 will be evaluated for its susceptibility to specific inhibitors. The findings are expected to contribute to new studies aimed at reducing both diabetes complications and the side effects of drugs used in cancer treatments.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, in his evaluation of the project, stated that research conducted in the field of health sciences contributes to public health, saying, "This project, supported by TÜSEB, will contribute to understanding the complications caused by two significant health issues frequently seen today, such as diabetes and cancer, and to the development of new treatment approaches." He congratulated our university's academics, who contribute to our research capacity with their scientific productivity, and wished them success in their work.

Our Rector also thanked the President of YÖK, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and the YÖK members for their support of research in higher education, and Prof. Dr. Ümit Kervan, the President of TÜSEB, for the contributions to university projects.

The project titled "Investigation of the Role of PLIN1/PLIN4 Mediated Lipid Metabolism in Ferroptosis Resistance, EMT, and Lymphatic Metastasis in Breast Cancer at the Molecular, Immunohistochemical, and Clinicopathological Level," led by Assist.Prof.Dr. Hakan Küçüksayan, a faculty member of Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, has been awarded support under the A4 Project Support Program (2026-A4) for Academics by the Turkish Health Institutes Presidency (TÜSEB).

 The project will last 12 months and will have a budget of 500.000 TL. The project team includes  Assist.Prof.Dr. Nurtaç Sarıkaş from Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ertan Küçüksayan from Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, and Assist.Prof.Dr. Şakir Akgün from Kafkas University, as a researcher.

 Within the scope of the project, the effects of PLIN1 and PLIN4, which regulate lipid droplets involved in tumor cell energy storage and utilization, on ferroptosis resistance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and lymphatic metastasis in breast cancer will be examined.

In the study, molecular, immunohistochemical, and clinicopathological analyses will be conducted using cell culture models and patient tissue samples. In this way, it is aimed to reveal the relationships between the PLIN1 and PLIN4 proteins and tumor aggressiveness, metastatic spread, and disease prognosis. The project is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of breast cancer, identify new biomarkers to predict the course of the disease, and provide a scientific foundation for targeted treatment approaches that may be developed in the future. 

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, stated in his evaluation of the project that scientific research conducted in the field of health contributes to our University's scientific output. Our Rector stated, "The fact that our researchers are conducting projects supported at the national level contributes to the diversification of scientific research activities at our University." I believe the results will contribute to both understanding cancer biology and the development of innovative treatment approaches in the future. I congratulate our academics involved in the project and wish them success in their work.”

Our Rector also thanked the YÖK President, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and YÖK members for their support for research in higher education, and the TÜSEB President, Prof. Dr. Ümit Kervan, for their contributions to university projects.

Kastamonu University participated in the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo, one of the world's largest international education organizations, held in the United States from May 26-29, 2026, as part of its internationalization efforts in higher education. 

The fair held in the United States was attended by  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk Akcaoğlu, General Coordinator of International Relations, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökhan Kaya, Erasmus Institutional Coordinator, on behalf of Kastamonu University. 

Within the scope of the event, meetings were held with numerous higher education institutions and international education organizations from Europe, Asia, and Latin America, primarily from the United States. In the meetings, student and staff mobility, joint research projects, international internship opportunities, dual degree programs, and academic collaborations were discussed. 

As a result of the contacts, new cooperation initiatives were initiated with various American universities, and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with several higher education institutions. 

At the fair, opportunities for Erasmus+ programs, joint project development, academic exchange, and participation in international research networks were also evaluated. The works of our university in the fields of education, research, and internationalization were introduced, and an exchange of views on new collaboration opportunities was held.