Cihan TAŞTAN

Cihan TAŞTAN is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Üsküdar University. He is also the director of the Transgenic Cell Technologies Application and Research Center (TRGENMER), CRISPR Valley, and the founding director of international initiatives including radichal.com and hi-dna.com.

Dr. TAŞTAN graduated with honors from METU Molecular Biology and Genetics in 2011 and completed his PhD at New York University in Microbiology-Immunobiology in 2017. His doctoral research focused on human immune system cells and bacterial species interactions, followed by work at The Jackson Laboratory on CRISPR genome modification techniques. From 2017-2020, he served as R&D Unit Manager at Acıbadem LabCell Cell Laboratory developing CAR-T cell therapies.

His research spans biotechnology, genetics, immunology, and molecular genetics with particular expertise in CRISPR gene editing, CAR-T cell therapy, synthetic biology, and DNA-based technologies. His recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to genetic engineering applications for rare diseases, cancer immunotherapy, and viral treatments.

His 15 most recent publications show a strong focus on CRISPR technology applications, CAR-T cell development, and genetic therapies for conditions including muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, and cancer. The research demonstrates both theoretical innovation and practical therapeutic applications.

• En İyi Sözlü Bildirim Ödülü (V. Uluslararası Katılımlı Deneysel Hematoloji Kongresi)
• Ord. Prof. Dr. Süreyya Tahsin Aygün Araştırma Ödülü (3. Kök Hücre ve Hücresel Tedaviler Kongresi)
• HiDNA Initiative award (Sanofi-Pharmup Program)
• Yılın Sosyal Sorumluluk Projesi ödülü (Doktorclub Awards)
• EBM Outstanding Reviewer Award

Dr. TAŞTAN has supervised numerous graduate students, with 13 master's theses listed in the document. His research is supported by multiple TÜBİTAK projects, with 25 active projects as of 2025 focusing on genetic therapies for conditions including glycogen storage disease, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. He leads the MESSAGE Science Mission, which explores genomic research in microgravity environments.

He directs several research centers including TRGENMER (Transgenic Cell Technologies Application and Research Center) and CRISPR Valley, which develops and trains on CRISPR gene engineering technologies. His hiDNA initiative develops platforms using DNA-based cryptology, DNA barcoding, and blockchain technology for healthcare applications.