Fen Fakültesi

What Fen Fakültesi does

Istanbul University Faculty of Science (Fen Fakültesi) is the oldest Faculty of Science in Turkey, established in 1933 as part of Turkey's university reform and headquartered at Vezneciler, Fatih, Istanbul, as a public-state unit within Istanbul University. It runs undergraduate and graduate education across six departments — Astronomy and Space Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Molecular Biology and Genetics — and admits students through Turkey's centralized YKS exam, the YOS international student exam, and Erasmus+/Mevlana/Farabi exchange programs.

The faculty's technical footprint is concentrated in specialized research infrastructure rather than software products: a Nano-Optoelectronics Research Laboratory with cleanroom, electron-beam/ion-beam/optical lithography, AFM/EFM/MFM/SEM/EDS imaging, and cryogenic liquid production; a Plant Biotechnology Laboratory offering DNA/RNA/protein isolation, NGS library prep, CRISPR-Cas9 design, and PCR/RT-PCR; plus cell culture/proteomics, hydrobiology, bioanalytical, environmental/food/instrumental, and SEM/microtechnique labs. It publishes three peer-reviewed journals (European Journal of Biology, Istanbul Journal of Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy Reports) and operates public-facing facilities including a planetarium and Turkey's first zoology museum.

Commercial revenue mechanics are limited. The faculty operates a revolving-fund (döner sermaye) system selling fee-based laboratory services to external academic and industrial clients at modest unit prices (e.g., DNA isolation 100 TL+VAT, plant-biotechnology consulting 1,200 TL+VAT), earns small ticket revenue from planetarium shows (15 TL adult, 8 TL student), and runs an NDK-authorized radiation-protection training program that gates participants into Nuclear Regulatory Institution certification exams. Primary funding flows from Turkish government budget allocations plus national research grants from TÜBİTAK and TÜSEB; the faculty has no independent ownership, no external investor base, and no disclosed revenue or ARR figures.

Name

Fen Fakültesi

Legal name

İstanbul Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi

Website

https://fen.istanbul.edu.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Turkey's oldest Faculty of Science, established in 1933 within Istanbul University, offering undergraduate and graduate education across six science departments and operating specialized research laboratories, three peer-reviewed journals, and a public planetarium under a Turkish state-university budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Space Research and Technology (92711)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Scientific research
• Laboratory services
• Academic publishing
• Certificate training

Headquarters

HQ city

Fatih, İstanbul

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Services and Testing: Fee-based laboratory analysis and testing services provided to external customers including other universities, research institutions, and industrial clients. Services include DNA/RNA isolation, protein analysis, electrophoresis, PCR, and specialized molecular biology tests.
2. Radiation Protection Training Certification: Authorized radiation protection training programs certified by Nuclear Regulatory Institution (NDK). Training participants receive attendance certificates enabling them to take NDK certification exams.
3. Planetaryum Shows: Public astronomy shows and educational presentations at the Planetaryum facility. Entrance fees: 15 TL for adults, 8 TL for students. Additional fees for group presentations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Istanbul University Faculty of Science provides undergraduate and graduate education across six departments (Astronomy and Space Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Molecular Biology and Genetics), supported by fee-for-service research and testing laboratories, NDK-authorized radiation protection training, peer-reviewed scientific journals, and public educational facilities such as the Planetarium and Zoology Museum. The faculty combines degree education with applied research, external laboratory services (DNA/RNA isolation, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, plant biotechnology), and community-oriented science communication.

Product overview

Istanbul University Faculty of Science (Fen Fakültesi) is Turkey's oldest and largest Faculty of Science, established in 1933. The faculty offers a unified educational structure across six departments (Astronomy and Space Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Molecular Biology and Genetics) and provides paid service laboratories as part of its revolving-fund (döner sermaye) operations. Its product portfolio consists of: (1) academic education and degree programs across six departments; (2) paid service laboratories — including Nano and Optoelectronics Research Laboratories, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Environmental/Food/Instrumental Analysis Laboratory, SEM and Microtechnique Laboratory, Cell Culture and Proteomics Laboratories, Bioanalytical Research Laboratory, Hydrobiology Laboratories, and Nanotechnology Research Laboratory — serving external researchers and industry; (3) public-facing facilities including the Planetarium and Zoology Collection museum; (4) radiation protection training programs authorized by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK); (5) three peer-reviewed scientific journals (European Journal of Biology, Istanbul Journal of Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy Reports); and (6) student life programs including clubs and sports teams. The faculty does not operate a software product or SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Radyasyondan Korunma Eğitimleri (Radiation Protection Training) Authorized radiation protection training programs certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Institution (NDK) for participants seeking official radiation worker certification; participants complete the program and receive attendance certificates enabling them to take NDK certification examinations.
• Nano ve Optoelektronik Araştırma Laboratuvarları (Nano and Optoelectronics Research Laboratories) Provides electrical, optical, and magnetic material characterization; device fabrication (detectors, LEDs, lasers, solar cells) using cleanroom, electron beam lithography, ion beam lithography, and optical lithography; imaging (AFM, EFM, MFM, SEM, EDS); nanostructure synthesis and characterization; and cryogenic liquid production (liquid nitrogen, liquid helium) for external academic and industrial clients.
• Bitki Biyoteknolojisi Laboratuvarı (Plant Biotechnology Laboratory) Fee-based Biology Department laboratory services including DNA/RNA/protein isolation, NGS library preparation and sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, phylogenetic analysis, CRISPR-Cas9 design, PCR/RT-PCR services, plant tissue culture, and biotechnology consulting for external academic researchers and industry clients.
• Çevre, Gıda ve Enstrümental Analiz Laboratuvarı (Environmental, Food, and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory) Laboratory providing environmental and food analysis services using instrumental analytical techniques for external clients and researchers.
• Planetaryum (Planetarium) Public astronomy shows at the Astronomy and Space Sciences Department facility, including access to the Historical Dome and Prof. Dr. W. Gleissberg Astronomy Collection and solar observations. Open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with group reservations up to 70 persons.
• Zooloji Koleksiyonu (Zoology Collection Museum) Turkey's first zoology museum, reopened for public visitors, housing zoological specimens and serving as an educational and research resource for the Biology Department.
• SEM ve Mikroteknik Laboratuvarı (SEM and Microtechnique Laboratory) Scanning electron microscopy and microtechnique analysis services managed by Dr. Almıla Çiftçi for external clients and researchers.
• Hücre Kültürü ve Proteomik Laboratuvarları (Cell Culture and Proteomics Laboratories) Molecular Biology and Genetics Department laboratories offering protein analysis services including BCA assay, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, cytotoxic activity testing (MTT), oxidative stress tests, antioxidant activity tests, and protein purification for external clients.
• Biyoanalitik Araştırma Laboratuvarı (Bioanalytical Research Laboratory) Bioanalytical research services including protein oxidation analysis, advanced glycation end-product (AGE) testing, antioxidant activity assays (DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC), and spectrophotometric analysis for external researchers.
• Hidrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı Laboratuvarları (Hydrobiology Division Laboratories) Biology Department laboratories dedicated to hydrobiology research and analysis services for external clients.
• Nanoteknoloji Araştırma Laboratuvarı (Nanotechnology Research Laboratory) Nanotechnology research laboratory providing specialized analysis and fabrication services for nanoscale materials for external clients.
• European Journal of Biology Peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Istanbul University Faculty of Science covering biological sciences.
• Istanbul Journal of Mathematics Peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Istanbul University Faculty of Science covering mathematical sciences.
• Physics and Astronomy Reports Peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Istanbul University Faculty of Science covering physics and astronomy.
• XXIII. Winter School of Genetics Annual international winter school organized by the Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, featuring Nobel laureates Brian Kobilka and Katalin Karikó alongside leading international scientists, held February 27 – March 1, 2026.
• Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs (Six Departments) Undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six departments: Astronomy and Space Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Molecular Biology and Genetics, providing fundamental science education at Turkey's oldest Faculty of Science established in 1933.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dynamically tunable membrane metasurfaces achieved 23.5 cm-1 spectral tuning across 300-700 K temperature range with Rabi splitting of 43 cm-1
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026International research collaboration with Istanbul University Faculty of Science on metasurface research published in Light: Science & Applications. Researchers from both institutions collaborated on dynamically tunable membrane metasurfaces for infrared spectroscopy and strong light-matter interactions.
• Australian National UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026International collaboration on metasurface research involving Assoc. Prof. Furkan Kuruoglu. Contributed to the study on thermally tunable silicon membrane metasurfaces for molecular fingerprint region analysis.
• Argonne National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026International research collaboration contributing to the metasurface study published in Light: Science & Applications. Provided research support and facilities for the light-matter interaction research.
• Boğaziçi UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration on TÜBİTAK 3501 project 'Time-Resolved Multi-Layered Meta-Omic Analysis of Microbial Interactions in the Kombucha Microbiome'. Dr. Gökhan GÜN from Boğaziçi University's Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics is part of the project team.
• Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026International research collaboration with Dr. Mehmet Tardu from the Department of Biology. Joint study on publication success published in high-impact journals.
• European Union Erasmus+ KA220-YOUminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EU-funded 'Green All Together-GreAT' project at Istanbul University within Erasmus+ program. Multiplier event held at Istanbul University Ord. Prof. Dr. Cemil Bilsel Conference Hall discussing waste-to-biogas, microalgae as biofuel, and microplastic pollution.
• Turkish Mathematics Association (TMD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Supported the International Conference on Differential Geometry 2024 through TMD MAD fund. Conference organized at Istanbul University Nazım Terzioğlu Building.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Middle East Technical University (METU): Turkey's leading public research university with a Faculty of Arts and Sciences covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and statistics. Directly comparable as a public Turkish science faculty with high-impact research output and international competition for students and faculty.
• Hacettepe University: Major Turkish public university in Ankara with a Faculty of Science covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and statistics. Comparable in scale and discipline mix to Fen Fakültesi, and a co-collaborator on some Turkish research initiatives.
• Ege University: Large İzmir-based public university with a Faculty of Science covering biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and astronomy. Comparable in scale, departmental breadth, and revolving-fund laboratory service model.
• Ankara University: Turkey's second-oldest public university with a Faculty of Science. Comparable as a major public science faculty competing for national YKS top students and TÜBİTAK funding.
• Boğaziçi University: Istanbul-based public research university with Faculty of Arts and Sciences including physics, chemistry, mathematics, molecular biology and genetics, and computer science. Strong English-language instruction, similar student profile, and active international research collaborations.
• Istanbul Technical University (ITU): Istanbul-based technical university with strong physics, chemistry, and mathematics programs, plus extensive research laboratory infrastructure. Comparable as a major Istanbul-area public research institution competing for the same student and faculty talent pool.

Broad incumbents

• Koç University: Istanbul-based private research university with a College of Sciences covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, molecular biology and genetics. Comparable for high-impact publications, international collaborations, and competing for the same faculty talent.
• Sabancı University: Istanbul-based private research university with a Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences spanning materials science, molecular biology, physics, and mathematics. Comparable for research output, English-language instruction, and laboratory services.
• Bilkent University: Turkey's first private, nonprofit research university with strong programs in physics, chemistry, molecular biology and genetics, mathematics, and computer science. Comparable as a science-and-engineering-focused research university, though privately funded.

Regional players

• Marmara University: Istanbul-based public university with a Faculty of Sciences and Arts covering physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and statistics. Comparable as another Istanbul public university competing for the same domestic student pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fen-fak%C3%BCltesi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fen Fakültesi