03/07/2026
Two different COST Actions, proposed by Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences faculty members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ogün Adebali and Dr. Polat Göktaş, have been approved by the COST Committee of Senior Officials (CSO). Our two faculty members, who are involved in projects that will make significant contributions to research collaborations, will also serve on the Management Committees of the respective actions.
The COST Action "European Research Network on the Dynamic Modulation of Membrane Protein Function (DYNAMO)" (CA25160), co-proposed by Assoc. Prof. Ogün Adebali from Sabancı University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, has been approved by the COST Committee of Senior Officials (CSO). Assoc. Prof. Adebali will also serve on the Action's Management Committee (MC).
Membrane proteins play a central role in fundamental biological processes such as cellular communication and homeostasis, and are among the main targets of drug development studies. However, important scientific questions remain unanswered regarding how the dynamic structures of membrane proteins affect their functions and how this information can be translated into new therapeutic approaches.
The DYNAMO Action aims to bring together researchers in this field under a European-wide network to better understand the dynamic behavior of membrane proteins. Within the network, researchers from different disciplines such as computational biology, structural biology, biophysics, pharmacology, and drug development will conduct collaborative studies. Information sharing, training activities and new research collaborations will be encouraged.
The action, structured around five working groups, will focus on topics such as the investigation of the structural and functional dynamics of membrane proteins, the characterization of their transient conformational states, the investigation of the effects of the cellular microenvironment, and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.
Approved at the 227th COST Committee of Senior Officials meeting held in Brussels on May 19, 2026, the DYNAMO Action aims to create a sustainable and interdisciplinary collaboration network across Europe in membrane protein research.
For more information, please click here.
The COST Action "AI-Governance, Use, and Impact for a Dynamic European R&I Ecosystem (AI-GUIDE)" (CA25157), co-proposed by Dr. Polat Göktaş from Sabancı University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, has been approved by the COST Committee of Senior Officials (CSO). Dr. Göktaş will also serve on the Action's Management Committee (MC).
Supported by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), AI-GUIDE stands out as one of the important research and collaboration networks established across Europe for the effective, ethical, and reliable use of generative artificial intelligence in research and innovation processes. The Action aims to bring together higher education institutions, research organizations, funders, publishers, policymakers, SMEs, and professional organizations to develop common governance approaches, operational guidelines, and implementation tools.
Within the network of 41 proposers from 20 COST member countries, work will be carried out to reflect the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), open science principles, and research integrity standards in research practices. Furthermore, the aim is to strengthen AI literacy across Europe through training activities, short-term scientific missions, knowledge-sharing events, and capacity-building programs.
The AI-GUIDE action aims to harmonize generative AI policies, develop applicable guidelines for research institutions, create open-access knowledge resources consisting of validated AI tools and use cases, and evaluate emerging trends in research and innovation. In addition, the development of safe AI experimental environments (Safe Labs and Sandboxes) for researchers and institutions is among the priority areas of the action.
With Dr. Polat Göktaş as a member of the Management Committee, Sabancı University will contribute to Europe-wide efforts in evaluating the impact of generative AI on research and innovation, responsible AI governance, research policies, and institutional capacity building. This task will also help strengthen Türkiye's international visibility in the field of AI governance and research policies.
For more information, please click here.
