Behind the success of the first company to announce success in developing a COVID-19 vaccine, there are two Turkish-German scientists: Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci. The German-based BioNTech company, in collaboration with U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, achieved 90% success in their COVID-19 vaccine, and it was founded in 2008 by Özlem Türeci and Uğur Şahin, whose families migrated from Turkey to Germany. But who are Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci? How old are they, and are they married?
Uğur Şahin was born on September 19, 1965, in İskenderun, Turkey. At the age of four, he moved to Germany with his family, who were working at the Ford factory in Cologne. From a young age, Uğur showed a keen interest in scientific research and experiments. After watching a program about cancer on German television, he was inspired by Paul Ehrlich, who discovered the modern immune system and developed chemotherapy. This inspired him to study medicine at the University of Cologne. Uğur Şahin became known for his research on cancer and developed an innovative cancer vaccine that targeted cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Alongside his wife, Dr. Özlem Türeci, he was also working on a vaccine for melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Özlem Türeci, born on March 6, 1967, in Lastrup, Lower Saxony, Germany, is the daughter of Turkish immigrants from Rize, Fındıklı. Her father worked as a surgeon at a Catholic hospital. Growing up in a multicultural environment, Özlem was fascinated by the nursing nuns at her father's workplace. She followed in her father's medical footsteps and became a doctor. She met Uğur Şahin while working at the University of Mainz Hospital. Their shared passion for cancer research brought them together. They married in 2002.
Together, Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci founded BioNTech in 2008, aiming to revolutionize the field of immunotherapy for cancer treatment using mRNA technology. Their research on personalized cancer immunotherapies laid the groundwork for the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. The couple's visionary approach led them to predict the potential global pandemic and compelled them to start immediate COVID-19 vaccine research before it escalated into a worldwide crisis.
BioNTech's cutting-edge research and development using mRNA technology, which was initially focused on personalized cancer treatments, allowed them to quickly pivot their efforts toward developing a vaccine against COVID-19 when the pandemic hit. Collaborating with Pfizer, the couple worked tirelessly to develop and test the vaccine, and in November 2020, they announced that their COVID-19 vaccine showed 90% efficacy in preventing infection.
Their innovative vaccine became a global game-changer, offering hope to people worldwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Their dedication and vision have garnered them numerous awards and recognition, including the prestigious Asturias Award, which honors their contributions to science and technology.
Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci's remarkable journey has not only saved countless lives during the COVID-19 pandemic but also opened new avenues for medical research and personalized medicine. Their pioneering work in mRNA technology has potential applications in other diseases, such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, where effective vaccines are yet to be developed.
These visionary scientists continue to work toward finding new solutions for global health challenges. Their inspiring story serves as a reminder that dedication, determination, and cutting-edge research can change the world and bring hope to humanity. As they continue their journey to transform the landscape of medicine, the world looks to Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci for new breakthroughs that will shape the future of healthcare.
Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci are the dynamic Turkish-German duo who brought hope and a brighter future to the world through their groundbreaking work in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. Their journey from cancer research to revolutionizing global health with mRNA technology serves as an inspiration to scientists, medical professionals, and all individuals striving to make a positive impact on humanity. Their innovative approach to medical research has not only saved lives during the pandemic but also opened new possibilities for future medical advancements. As we look to the future, we can expect that the work of Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci will continue to shape the world of medicine and healthcare for generations to come.