ABE Türkiye Meets Teachers at the Biotechnology Symposium Hosted by İSTEK Ankara Schools!

The Biotechnology Symposium, hosted by İSTEK Ankara Schools on May 9, 2026, brought together science and education through a rich and engaging program attended by approximately 60 teachers from Ankara and other İSTEK Schools.

The program began with opening remarks. During the opening session, ABE Türkiye Program Director Dr. Elif Adıbelli Şahin shared information about the overall framework of the ABE Program and the work carried out in  ABE Türkiye. The symposium continued with scientific presentations delivered by distinguished academics. Presentations in the fields of chemistry, biology, and biotechnology offered participants diverse perspectives on current scientific developments.

In the afternoon session, a total of eight different workshops were conducted by ABE Türkiye teachers Süleyman Atilla, Hasan Altınışık, and Cansu Destanoğlu; teachers from İSTEK Ankara Schools; and members of the ABE Türkiye team including Dr. Elif Adıbelli Şahin, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Funda Özdemir Değirmenci, and Gülşah Özkan İnal. During the workshops, fundamental tools and techniques used in biotechnology and genetic engineering—such as DNA isolation, micropipette use, gel electrophoresis, and PCR—were explored through hands-on biotechnology-based scenarios.

The workshops conducted within the symposium included:

• Silent Witnesses: In the Footsteps of DNA ( 2 sessions)
• Track Biopiracy! ( 2 sessions)
• Forensic Laboratory
• Mysterious Fish Deaths
• Archaeogenetic Detectives: Ancient DNA
• ABE Applications with LabXchange

In the “ABE Applications with LabXchange” workshop, teachers were introduced to the LabXchange platform and shown how ABE applications and other scientific content can be supported through digital learning environments.

The symposium, which attracted strong interest from participating teachers, became a productive gathering that strengthened the culture of learning, sharing, and collaborative production in the light of scientific thinking. As ABE Türkiye, we continue to value the expansion of such initiatives that support teachers’ professional development and bring biotechnology education into classroom environments.