'Smart cabinet' against the virus

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Doluca and his 4 students from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) developed a 'PCR cabinet' that allows samples taken from cases to be prepared in a sterile environment before being sent for testing for the detection of the Covid-19 virus. Stating that the cabinet destroys bacteria thanks to 3 lamps emitting UV rays, it provides 99.9% sterilization in 15 minutes, Assoc. Pof. Dr. Doluca said, “Case samples are prepared inside the cabinet before being sent for PCR testing. Meanwhile it is very important that the cabinet is sterile in terms of reducing the possibility of giving wrong results in the test. It is possible to operate the sterilization system of the cabinet by directing via Wi-Fi and bluetooth.”

The 'PCR cabinet', preared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Doluca, Head of IUE Department of Biomedical Engineering,  and Department of Biomedical Engineering students Selin Ergüç and Selin Katarcı, Department of Genetic and Bioengineering students Merve Görgülü and İrem Kilimci, completed in about 5 months. The team working in the laboratories of IUE carried out all control tests of the cabinet, which they produced from plexi (plastic glass) material. The IUE team, who has developed a cabin that can be operated remotely with the help of Wi-Fi and bluetooth, using the latest technological possibilities, aims to produce the cabinet quickly by establishing a company in the upcoming period. The cabinet, which can be opened and closed easily and has drawer-style sections to facilitate the work of healthcare professionals, can be used in all DNA studies as well as Covid-19.

REDUCES RISKS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Doluca reminded that they have carried out many important projects such as self-cleaning masks for healthcare workers and a diagnostic kit that minimizes the possibility of giving false results. Stating that PCR cabinet is also one of these projects, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doluca said, “We built a cabinet that is easy to transport, of high quality and fit for purpose as we aimed. The name of the test used in the detection of Covid-19 is 'PCR'. Samples taken from individuals do not go directly to the PCR testing. Some processes are carried out to make the samples ready for the PCR testing. All these processes should be done in a sterile cabinet. The PCR cabinet we have designed significantly eliminates these risks. The cabinet we developed provides great convenience to easily prepare case samples and send them for testing reliably.”

WE WILL APPLY TO TUBITAK AS WELL

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doluca continued as follows: “The PCR cabinet can be used in all areas where there are studies on DNA, not just Covid-19. Students involved in the project, all of whom are in their final year, will graduate from the University this year. They were entitled to receive support within the scope of TUBITAK's 2209-A program while doing the project. Now we will apply again to benefit from TUBITAK's non-refundable grant support. Then, we aim to establish our own company with students and produce the cabinet. The cabinet is currently available to be produced in cooperation with various companies. Our students worked hard during the difficult pandemic period. We were also very happy for them to get the rewards of months of hard work. Congratulations to our students. We will continue to develop such projects within the University.”