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Now showing 1 - 10 of 25
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 3
    Citation - Scopus: 4
    Identification of Bacterial Diversity of Bee Collected Pollen and Bee Bread Microbiota by Metagenomic Analysis
    (Aves, 2022) Arserim Ucar, Dilhun Keriman; Yurt, Mediha Nur Zafer; Tasbasi, Behiye Busra; Acar, Elif Esma; Yegin, Zeynep; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Sudagidan, Mert
    This study investigated the bacterial diversities of bee-collected pollen and bee bread of Apis mellifera in Turkey. The bacterial community structure of 14 bee pollen from Bingol, Konya, and Hakkari and 11 bee bread samples from Bingol were studied using 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomic analysis. The dominant bacterial phylum in pollen and bee bread samples was Firmicutes, followed by Proteobacteria. In pollen and bee bread samples, Bacillaceae, Clostridiaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae were identified as dominant bacterial families. At the genus level, Bacillus, Clostridium sensu stricto, and Enterococcus were dominant bacteria in both pollen and bee bread samples. The most abundant species was Clostridium perfringens in both pollen and bee bread samples. Escherichia vulneris, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus casseliflavus, and Cronobacter malonaticus were identified with high reads in pollen samples. In bee bread samples, E. faecalis, Clostridium bifermentans, and Pantoea calida were abundant bacterial species. Alpha diversity showed that pol-3 sample had the highest diversity. Beta-diversity plots separated the pollen samples into four main groups and bee bread samples into three main groups. Our results indicated that the culture-independent metagenomic analysis will be a valuable tool for determining the microbial diversity of bee products produced in Bingol-Turkey one of the important centers of apiculture.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 10
    Citation - Scopus: 12
    Detection of Viruses by Probe-Gated Silica Nanoparticles Directly From Swab Samples
    (Elsevier, 2022) Tuna, Bilge Guvenc; Durdabak, Dilara Buse; Ercan, Meltem Kazak; Dogan, Soner; Kavruk, Murat; Dursun, Ali Dogan; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz
    Viral infection has been one of the major health issues for human life. The real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based detection has primarily been used for virus detection as a highly reliable procedure. However, it is a relatively long and multi-stage process. In addition, required skilled personnel and complex instrumentation presents difficulties in large scale monitoring efforts. Therefore, we report here a direct and fast detection method for CoV-2 genome as applied in the nose-throat swab samples without any further processing. The detection principle is based on fluorescein-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles capped by specific gene sequences probes immobilized on the surface of the nanoparticles. Upon hybridization with the target viral genome, the fluorescein molecules were released from the mesopores. Testing with synthetic oligonucleotides, the NSP12 gene-based detection resulted in a strong signal. Target detection time could be optimized to 15 min and the limit of detection was 1.4 RFU with 84% sensitivity with clinical samples (n = 43).
  • Article
    Enhanced Doxorubicin Cytotoxicity on Breast Cancer Spheroids by Aptamer Targeted Co-Delivery With Hyaluronidase
    (Wiley, 2025) Kavruk, Murat; Demirel, Dide Su; Bonyadi, Farzaneh; Guner, Buket Cakmak; Dursun, Ali Dogan; Vakifahmetoglu, Cekdar; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz
    Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent solid tumors in women and can be classified into subtypes based on molecular characteristics, such as hormone receptor status and HER2 expression. Aptamers, highly specific affinity molecules, are extensively studied for targeted drug delivery using nanocarriers to enhance anti-cancer efficacy. This study focused on HER2-responsive co-delivery of doxorubicin and hyaluronidase via aptamer-gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles to improve therapeutic outcomes in solid tumors. SK-BR-3 spheroids are employed as a model for resistant tumor environments in solid tumors. Previous research is shown that conjugating cytotoxic drugs with nanoparticles or cells enhances drug penetration into tumor spheroids. In this work, doxorubicin is loaded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles and capped with HER2-specific aptamers, while the particle surface is functionalized with hyaluronidase. This dual-functionalized nanocarrier system achieves an approximate to 8.5-fold increase in cytotoxicity compared to aptamer-targeted delivery lacking hyaluronidase. The enhanced effect is attributed to hyaluronidase-mediated loosening of the spheroid structure, facilitating nanoparticle penetration and localized release of doxorubicin at high concentrations on HER2-positive cells.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 24
    Citation - Scopus: 28
    High-Efficiency Application of Cts-Co Nps Mimicking Peroxidase Enzyme on Tmb(ox)
    (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, 2022) Altuner, Elif Esra; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Yilmaz, M. Deniz; Bekmezci, Muhammed; Sen, Fatih
    In this study, analytical studies of Chitosan-Cobalt(II) (CTS-Co(II)) nanoparticles (CTS - Co NPs) by mimicking horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were evaluated. In the applications, it was observed that CTS-Co NPs 3,3 ' 5,5 ' tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidized in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The required CTS-Co NPs were synthesized at 50 degrees C in 30 min and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and Xray photon spectroscopy (XPS) was done. CTS-Co NPs were studied to develop a selective TMB biosensor on TMB (ox) substrate. The synthesized CTS-Co NPs formed a catalytic reaction with 30% 0.2 mM H2O2 on 0.2 M TMB substrate. After the catalytic reaction, sensitive signals were obtained from the desired biosensor. Electrochemical measurements were taken as low limit of 10 mg and a high limit of 20 mg for the determination of CTSCo NPs to TMB(ox). In the microplate study; The sensors were applied on 1.5 mu g and 3 mu g CTS-Co NPs TMB(ox) substrate, respectively. CTS- Co NPs; for TMB(ox) determination, optical density (OD) measurement was taken as a low limit of 1.5 mu g and a high limit of 3 mu g. Electrochemical applications of particles and microplate reader results were compared with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme for sensor properties. According to the data obtained, it was observed that it behaved similarly to the CTS-Co NPs peroxidase enzyme. This work presents innovations for nanoparticle extraction and sensor study from chitosan and other naturally sourced polymers.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 29
    Citation - Scopus: 36
    Development of Electrochemical Aptasensors Detecting Phosphate Ions on Tmb Substrate With Epoxy-Based Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
    (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, 2022) Altuner, Elif Esra; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Yilmaz, M. Deniz; Sudagidan, Mert; Aygun, Aysenur; Acar, Elif Esma; Sen, Fatih
    This study, it is aimed to develop an electrochemical aptasensor that can detect phosphate ions using 3.3 & PRIME;5.5 & PRIME; tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). It is based on the principle of converting the binding affinity of the target molecule phosphate ion (PO43-) into an electrochemical signal with specific aptamer sequences for the aptasensor to be developed. The aptamer structure served as a gate for the TMB to be released and was used to trap the TMB molecule in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs). The samples for this study were characterized by transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), Brunner-Emmet-Teller, dynamic light scattering & electrophoretic light scattering, and induction coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. According to TEM analysis, MSNPs have a morphologically hexagonal structure and an average size of 208 nm. In this study, palladium-carbon nano particles (Pd/C NPs) with catalytic reaction were used as an alternative to the biologically used horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme for the release of TMB in the presence of phosphate ions. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 0.983 mu M, the limit of determination (LOQ) was calculated as 3.276 mu M, and the dynamic linear phosphate range was found to be 50-1000 mu M. The most important advantage of this bio-based aptasensor assembly is that it does not contain molecules such as a protein that cannot be stored for a long time at room temperature, so its shelf life is very long compared to similar systems developed with antibodies. The proposed sensor shows good recovery in phosphate ion detection and is considered to have great potential among electrochemical sensors.
  • Article
    Biotechnological Preparedness for Novel Pandemics: Diagnostic Performance of IVDS Against SARS-CoV
    (Wiley, 2025) Kavruk, Murat; Ercan, Meltem; Borsa, Baris Ata; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Hernandez, Frank J.
    Although the COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges and negative impacts around the world, some of which will persist into the future, its technological challenge has created a unique opportunity in a globalized world. It is a rare event that almost all of humanity to be directed towards a single goal and to try to produce solutions, but the necessity of a similar global action in the future has begun to enter the agenda again. The predictions made on the basis of countries and institutions against the possibility of a pandemic, which is defined as Disease X, are shaped by the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Technologically, one of the know-how we have gained in this pandemic is the performance of IVD and test systems in terms of quality and quantity. A comprehensive analysis of the products produced by combining biotechnology with different strategies has not been conducted. In this context, we have analyzed the technical preferences, limitations, and other performance parameters of IVDs and test kits that could be developed against a future Disease X. The performance parameters of 2,882 biotechnological products listed for use in the European Union have been analyzed, and areas that could be targeted for increased effectiveness have been identified. Our study is the first of its kind in this field and can serve as a guide for those who want to work on detection methods, diagnostics, and novel technologies for deployment in future pandemics.
  • Article
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    An Investigation on the Dna Binding Activities of Melamine, Cyanuric Acid and Uric Acid
    (Editura Acad Romane, 2021) Senol, Ali; Devrim, Alparslan Kadir; Sudagidan, Mert; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz
    Melamine can be added to various foods such as milk, milk powder, baby food, pet, and livestock feed for cheating purposes due to its high nitrogen content. Regarding its usage in food products, there is a need to investigate its possible interactions with DNA. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the interactions of melamine and its metabolized products, cyanuric acid and uric acid with genomic DNA, isolated from eukaryotic (calf thymus) and prokaryotic (Staphylococcus aureus) sources. UV-absorbance spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectrophotometry, and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were used to evaluate these interactions. The five different concentrations of melamine, cyanuric acid, and uric acid were incubated with fixed DNA concentration and it was determined that the test compounds interacted with the DNA molecules. The data obtained by UV-absorbance and fluorescence spectrophotometry techniques revealed an increase in wave peaks observed with the increasing substance concentration. After the obtained data of the aforementioned techniques were evaluated together, it was concluded that melamine, cyanuric acid, and uric acid bonded to the eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomic DNA materials via groove binding.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 18
    Citation - Scopus: 18
    Metagenomic and Chemical Analysis of Tarhana During Traditional Fermentation Process
    (Elsevier, 2021) Soyucok, Ali; Yurt, Mediha Nur Zafer; Altunbas, Osman; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Sudagidan, Mert
    Tarhana is one of the favourable traditional fermented food consumed as a soup. Different flour, vegetables, spices and yogurt are main constituents and they compose of microbiota of Tarhana. In this study, bacterial communities in each fermentation process and in their constituents were identified by metagenomic analysis. Also, chemical properties (pH, acidity, salt content and dry matter) were analysed in each step. The results showed that in the dough formation, mainly Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Enterococcus and Streptococcus were present and after Day 4, Clostridium and Bacillus became dominant, after drying Clostridium disappeared and in the final product bacterial communities from Bacillus and Streptococcus genus were observed. Chemical analysis showed that pH decreased from 4.94 to 4.46, acidity increased by time at the beginning of fermentation from 7.5% to 22.5% in first 6 days period, then, became stable at 14% in drying process. Salt content increased by time from 1.74 to 3.08 g salt/100 g Tarhana in first 8 days and in drying process salt content was recorded as 2.81-2.90 and dry matter was obtained as 94 g dry matter/100 g Tarhana in the final product. This study elucidated the effects of ingredients, raw materials and how microbiota and chemical properties changes during fermentation steps of home-made traditional Tarhana production and thus preparation methods could be developed to obtain standardized Tarhana products for industrial production in future.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 8
    Citation - Scopus: 8
    Surface Microbiota and Associated Staphylococci of Houseflies (musca Domestica) Collected From Different Environmental Sources
    (Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd, 2022) Sudagidan, Mert; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Can, Ozge; Eligul, Hakan; Yurt, Mediha Nur Zafer; Tasbasi, Behiye Busra; Kocak, Oner
    Houseflies (Musca domestica) are important mechanical vectors for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, 129 houseflies (69 males and 60 females) were collected from 10 different environmental sources and a laboratory population was used. The surface microbiota of houseflies was identified by NextGeneration Sequencing. Staphylococci from the surfaces of houseflies were selectively isolated and their virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibilities, biofilm formation, and clonal relatedness were determined. Metagenomic analysis results demonstrated that Staphylococcus, Bacillus, and Enterococcus were mostly present on the surface of houseflies at the genus level. Additionally, the isolated 32 staphylococcal strains were identified as Staphylococcus sciuri (n = 11), S. saprophyticus (n = 9), S. arlettae (n = 6), S. xylosus (n = 4), S. epidermidis (n = 1) and S. gallinarum (n = 1). tetK, tetM, tetL, ermC, msrAB, and aad6 genes were found to carry by some of the staphylococcal strains. The strains were mostly resistant to oxacillin, penicillin, and erythromycin and three strains were multi-drug resistant. There was a statistical difference between housefly collection places and antibiotic resistance of isolated staphylococci to penicillin G, gentamicin, and erythromycin (p < 0.05). Biofilm test showed that 17 strains were strong biofilm formers, and it plays important role in the transmission of these bacteria on the surface of houseflies. Staphylococcal strains showed extracellular proteolytic and lipolytic activity in 31 and 12 strains, respectively. Closely related species were found in PFGE analysis from different environmental sources. By this study, surface microbiota and carriage of pathogenic staphylococci on the surfaces of houseflies and their virulence properties were elucidated.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 18
    Citation - Scopus: 20
    Quartz Crystal Microbalance-Based Aptasensor Integrated With Magnetic Pre-Concentration System for Detection of listeria Monocytogenes in Food Samples
    (Springer Wien, 2024) Beyazit, Fatma; Arica, Mehmet Yakup; Acikgoz-Erkaya, Ilkay; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Bayramoglu, Gulay
    A fast and accurate identification of Listeria monocytogenes. A new quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) aptasensor was designed for the specific and rapid detection of L. monocytogenes. Before detection of the target bacterium from samples in the QCM aptasensor, a magnetic pre-enrichment system was used to eliminate any contaminant in the samples. The prepared magnetic system was characterized using ATR-FTIR, SEM, VSM, BET, and analytical methods. The saturation magnetization values of the Fe3O4, Fe3O4@PDA, and Fe3O4@PDA@DAPEG particles were 57.2, 40.8, and 36.4 emu/g, respectively. The same aptamer was also immobilized on the QCM crystal integrated into QCM flow cell and utilized to quantitatively detect L. monocytogenes cells from the samples. It was found that a specific aptamer-magnetic pre-concentration system efficiently captured L. monocytogenes cells in a short time (approximately 10 min). The Fe3O4@PDA@DA-PEG-Apt particles provided selective isolation of L. monocytogenes from the bacteria-spiked media up to 91.8%. The immobilized aptamer content of the magnetic particles was 5834 mu g/g using 500 ng Apt/mL. The QCM aptasensor showed a very high range of analytical performance to the target bacterium from 1.0 x 10(2) and 1.0 x 10(7) CFU/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 148 and 448 CFU/mL, respectively, from the feeding of the QCM aptasensor flow cell with the eluent of the magnetic pre-concentration system. The reproducibility of the aptasensor was more than 95%. The aptasensor was very specific to L. monocytogenes compared to the other Listeria species (i.e., L. ivanovii, L. innocua, and L. seeligeri) or other tested bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. The QCM aptasensor was regenerated with NaOH solution, and the system was reused many times.