Medical Research Unit (MEDITAM)

The Medical Research Unit (MEDITAM) was established in accordance with international ethical standards to provide a high-technology infrastructure for the production, housing, and care of laboratory animals within the framework of animal welfare. The unit aims to contribute to education and scientific research through its fully equipped laboratories.

Authorized by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Permit No. 091, dated 30.10.2013), the unit operates as a "Producer/User/Supplier Organization" for various laboratory animal species, including rats, mice, transgenic mice, rabbits, axolotls (amphibians), zebrafish, and goldfish.

MEDITAM offers advanced technical infrastructure and professional support services that facilitate the conduct of academic research and postgraduate (Master’s and PhD) theses for both national and international universities, primarily Istanbul Medipol University. An environment has been established where faculty members, researchers, and students can effectively utilize facilities for scientific observations, experiments, projects, and research.

The unit supports the development of practical skills for undergraduate and graduate students and the qualification of young researchers through various certified training programs, seminars, and scientific events—most notably the "Laboratory Animal Use Certificate Course."

Specially equipped laboratories and workspaces available to researchers include:

• Behavior and Pain Laboratory
• General and Special Procedure Rooms
• Transgenic Animal Research Laboratory

Primary Objectives of the Unit:
 

• To contribute to the establishment, maintenance, and development of the technical and physical infrastructure required for experimental research in the fields of medicine and health sciences.
• To support the realization of research projects, publications, and products with high scientific impact at national and international levels.
• To contribute to research and the generation of new knowledge through approaches based on the welfare and scientific utilization of laboratory animals.
• To ensure that studies conducted within the unit are audited within the framework of ethical compliance and quality standards, working in coordination with the Istanbul Medipol University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (MED-HADYEK) and the Institutional Aquatic Vertebrate Animal Care and Use Committee (MED-SOCYEK).
• To organize certified training programs and professional development courses to enhance the competence of personnel working with laboratory animals.
• To provide a housing and experimental environment compliant with ethical and scientific standards under the supervision of the Animal Welfare Unit, ensuring ideal living conditions (environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light cycle, sound insulation, and climate control) for laboratory animals.