History of Medicine I Scientists

Have You Ever Heard of Professor Ordinarius Süreyya Tahsin Aygün?

Most likely, this is the first time you’ve heard this name; however, by the end of this article, I bet you will be absolutely astonished…

Professor Ordinarius Süreyya Tahsin Aygün — Created with Canva by Dr. Cüneyt Yardımcı

Non-members can follow this **link **to read the full story…

Some Discoveries End Up Inflicting Pain and Disappointment…

In the history of medicine, there have been some miserable experiences that have resulted in serious failures and tragedies, indeed being started with very good intentions.

Thalidomide Disaster is one of the most painful and traumatic events in the field of human health.

A German pharmaceutical company developed thalidomide as a drug to be used in the treatment of epilepsy.

When the sedative properties of the drug were observed during clinical studies, first in Germany in 1957, and followed by other countries in a very short period of time, thalidomide became a very popular non-prescription drug that is widely recommended to pregnant women for morning sickness.

It didn’t take much time to be registered in fifty countries to prevent hyperemesis, that is pregnancy nausea and vomiting, during pregnancy.

Once thalidomide was taken daily, pregnancies turned into a very comfortable state.

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Thalidomide Causes an Unexpected Problem

Shortly after thalidomide became widespread, it was realized that there was a significant increase in the number of children born with skeletal anomalies.

There was a significant increase in the birth rates of babies with malformation called phocomelia (seal-like hands-arms) characterized by inadequate development of extremities.

Indeed, phocomelia was already a known disease state and had been assumed to be a quite rare risk encountered in every pregnancy.

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However, the serious increase in the number of children born with this congenital defect had turned into terrifying levels!!!

As an example…

While only one case of phocomelia was diagnosed in the Pediatric Clinic of the University of Hamburg in the ten-year period between 1949 and 1959;

The numbers increased to 30 in 1960, and reached 164 cases in 1961.

According to records, between 1959 and 1962, more than 2,500 babies in Germany and more than 500 babies in England suffered the same fate.

Although the number of people affected from thalidomide is unfortunately not known exactly, it is estimated that there are more than 90,000 miscarriages and more than 10,000 cases of disability and death due to thalidomide use.

But it was quite interesting that this terrible disaster, which affected almost the entire world, had not even touched Turkey…

Why Wasn’t the Thalidomide Disaster Seen in Turkey?

Professor Ordinarius Süreyya Tahsin Aygün fought vigorously against the licensing of a drug containing the active ingredient thalidomide in Turkey.

His efforts were supported by scientific evidence obtained from his studies, rather than personal opinions. Süreyya Tahsin Aygün’s endeavors saved many lives in these lands and prevented numerous babies from being born with missing limbs.

Professor Ordinarius Süreyya Tahsin Aygün identified the harmful effects of thalidomide on embryonic brain development, leading to the discovery of children born with phocomelia.

He prevented the drug from entering the country by sharing his study results with the governmental authorities and actively pursuing the issue.

Unfortunately, no one except the Turkish Ministry of Health gave attention to the results of this study during these days. If the results of that study had been taken into account world-wide, absolutely many lives could have been saved; no doubt!!!

Professor Ordinarius:

Professor ordinarius (ordentlicher Professor, o. Prof., Univ. Prof.) means professor with chair, representing the branch of science in question.

In other words Professor Ordinarius is a professor of the highest rank at university, particularly a German university, and the occupant of a chair with control over the teaching of a subject, representing the branch of science in question, and a share in the government of the university

Süreyya Tahsin Aygün Did Not Only Prevent the Thalidomide Disaster

Süreyya Tahsin Aygün’s contributions to human life are not limited to preventing a thalidomide disaster in Turkey…

Professor Ordinarius Süreyya Tahsin Aygün is the first person in the world to describe stem cell therapy, and

First scientist to successfully apply it in clinical practice.

Süreyya Tahsin Aygün, the first scientist in the world to pioneer stem cell therapy, made his groundbreaking discovery of stem cells in amniotic fluid in 1957.

It took 45 years for the scientific community to recognize Aygün’s seminal work, which was published in Nature magazine in 2002.

[embed]Stem cell-based therapy for human diseases - Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Recent advancements in stem cell technology open a new door for patients suffering from diseases and disorders that…rdcu.be

Süreyya Tahsin Aygün and the Treatment of Genetic Disorders

The condition in which cells or tissues with more than one genotype can coexist is defined as chimera.

Aygün argued that it was possible to treat genetic disorders by creating chimeras.

Back in 1972, when he prophesied that stem cell therapy would replace organ transplantation, nobody believed him at the time!

However, Professor Ordinarius Aygün, as an achiever and as a result-oriented dedicated scientist, persisted in his convictions.

He was not a dreamer, instead a patriot who devoted all his life solely to science and research.

He even envisioned the possibility of treating neuronal damage with stem cells.

However, it wasn’t until the millennium that the world began to realize the potential of his ideas.

Furthermore, records indicate that mongoloid children regained a healthy state with cell culture injection treatments.

Süreyya Tahsin Aygün’s Additional Contributions to Science

Professor Ordinarius Aygün’s contributions to science and human health were not limited to these jaw-dropping discoveries that were not understood at the time he lived…

He was also the editor of the world’s first viral culture textbook.

He is the one who discovered the world’s first lyophilized anthrax vaccine in 1929!!!

Despite all the vaccines used during the period lasted only a week to ten days, the vaccine discovered by Süreyya Tahsin Aygün could be stored for up to 16 months without losing its effect.

This novel lyophilized anthrax vaccine:

• Was suitable for long-term storage and storage without spoiling
• Completely safe
• Did not cause vaccine-derived carriage unlike conventional vaccines
• Provided high level of immunity

It had been praised in international scientific publications for its dry and low-volume features that allow it to be easily sent to any desired location both in summer and cold winter days.

In Conclusion...

Professor Ordinarius Süreyya Tahsin Aygün emerges as an unsung hero in the annals of science and medicine.

His pivotal role in averting the thalidomide disaster in Turkey, through meticulous research and advocacy, prevented countless lives from being affected by the tragic consequences seen elsewhere.

Moreover, Aygün’s groundbreaking work in stem cell therapy, although initially overlooked, eventually garnered recognition, paving the way for revolutionary advancements in medical science.

His foresight and dedication to research, coupled with his contributions to vaccine development and understanding genetic disorders, underscore his profound impact on human health.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Aygün remains relatively obscure, highlighting the unfortunate oversight of his legacy amidst the vast tapestry of scientific history.

It is incumbent upon us to acknowledge and celebrate the enduring contributions of individuals like Professor Ordinarius Aygün, whose brilliance and perseverance continue to shape the trajectory of scientific progress.

References:

1. First scientist in the world working on stem cell
2. XXXVII International Congress of the World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine
3. Stem Cells and Signaling Pathways
4. The report of Prof. Ganslmayer to president Atatürk, about rinderpest and Turkish Veterinary Organization
5. Thalidomide: the tragedy of birth defects and the effective treatment of disease
6. Thalidomide and phocomelia
7. Events after thalidomide
8. Türk Tarihinde Veteriner Hekim Büyüklerimiz
9. Stem cell-based therapy for human diseases