As part of an international collaboration on Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), a rare genetic disorder, Prof. Thomas Crawford from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Claudio M. de Gusmao from Harvard University visited the Koç University Translational Medicine Research Center (KUTTAM) and the Rare Diseases Research Laboratory (NDAL) in Istanbul between February 4 - 7, 2025.
During their visit, the two specialists conducted in-depth clinical evaluations of five children in Turkey who may benefit from antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy. The Boston-based Dr. Yu also joined the meetings virtually. AT Association Chair, attorney Güneş Uyar, was present at the sessions, which were held in collaboration with NDAL's research team.
These meetings at NDAL offered a significant opportunity to share clinical knowledge and advance the process of making ASO therapy accessible in Turkey. The next planned step is to initiate official consultations with the Ministry of Health regarding the necessary regulations.
As part of the Chamber Talks programme by the Istanbul Research Institute, the talk titled The Cultivated Eye: From Arif Hikmet’s Lens to Architectural Practice brought together M. Baha Tanman and Müjde Dila Gümüş to examine Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu’s photography archive and architectural work, offering new perspectives on the exhibition The Photography Studio of an Adventurous Architect.
Pera Museum is hosting guided tours for Feelings in Common, led by curator Ulya Soley. The Guided Exhibition Tour with Curator will take place at Pera Museum on December 24, 2025 at 18:00 and December 27, 2025 at 15:00. The tour will be conducted in Turkish. Capacity is limited; tickets are available via Biletix or at the Pera Museum reception desk on the day of the event.
At the 9th Major Community Gathering, the Suna’nın Kızları communities came together to review the past year’s outcomes and align on project plans for 2026. Participants explored new ideas and collaboration opportunities on how the model and programs co-developed with 33 civil society organizations over the past four years can further support and reinforce one another.