SCOPE
Regenerative medicine is one of the most promising and rapidly advancing areas of modern medicine, as it focuses on innovative approaches to repair and replace cells, tissues and organs. Cell therapies implement patient oriented approaches, and provide novel venues for personalized medicine. At iBG-izmir, we will establish an internationally accredited cGMP facility for the production of therapeutic grade cells and tissues for humans. Our program brings together basic research scientists and clinicians focused on utilizing cells and stem cells in the reconstruction of tissues and organs, as well as engineering cells for therapeutic approaches. Cell therapies and regenerative medicine have already been applied in clinics as experimental and alternative methods. With this program we aim to develop and translate cell-based approaches as validated standard treatment method for clinicians. In this regard, we focus on basic and translational medical sciences utilizing cell therapies, design clinical trials and set new therapeutic standards. Achieving the goals of the program is strongly coupled with innovative thinking and creating value in therapeutic medicine.

FOCUS AREAS AND MILESTONES
• Developing cell based pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo disease models underlining the mechanisms of regeneration.
• Generating autologous and allogeneic adult mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue and dental pulp; or from specialized cells, like limbal stem cells, chondrocytes and hepatocytes. Implementing their use for cancer, trauma, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology and dental applications.
• Developing and translating cell based therapy methods from Bench-to-Bedside in accordance with national and international guidelines.
• Design and start a clinical trial for cell-based therapy. Funding of the program will be obtained from TUBITAK, Ministry of Health, EU research funds and the Dokuz Eylul University Hospital.