As part of the COST Action CA21151 – HAPLO-iPS, Tugba Topal from Karadeniz Technical University (KTU), Turkey, carried out a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at Oakland University, Michigan, USA, under the supervision of Dr. Luis Villa-Diaz, a HAPLO-iPS working group member.
During her stay, Tugba received intensive training in synthetic and xeno-free culture systems for human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). She successfully learned the synthesis and application of the fully defined polymer substrate PMEDSAH, a clinically relevant alternative to Matrigel, as well as the preparation and evaluation of PMADSAH surfaces.
Her training included the culture and maintenance of SOX2-GFP hiPSCs on these polymer surfaces, using defined and xeno-free media, and the analysis of pluripotency markers (OCT4, NANOG, TRA-1-60) via immunocytochemistry. Beyond stem cell culture, she also gained hands-on experience in organoid systems, including the generation of retinal, gut, and heart organoids, linking hiPSC expansion methods with downstream differentiation applications.
This STSM not only fulfilled its technical objectives but also fostered international collaboration. Tugba contributed to a joint Erasmus+ KA171 proposal to strengthen academic ties between Oakland University and KTU, and initiated future exchange and networking opportunities. Her newly acquired expertise will support the implementation of defined substrate and organoid workflows at KTU, directly advancing the goals of HAPLO-iPS to harmonize hiPSC methodologies across Europe.