The “Sleeping Yarn” project, which aims to develop a natural, side effect free and daily life compatible solution for sleep disorders, stands out as a remarkable example of university industry collaboration. The project is being implemented within the scope of the TÜBİTAK TEYDEB 1505 University Industry Cooperation Support Program.
Within the 24-month project period, specially developed yarns are planned to be used in textile products such as pillowcases, bed sheets, pajamas and similar items, with the aim of supporting sleep through scent and skin contact. The project plans to integrate natural molecules into the yarn structure using a microencapsulation method.
Asst. Prof. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı, Head of the In Silico Research Laboratory and a researcher from Üsküdar University involved in the project, emphasized the main innovation of the study by saying: “The most important point here is the use of non-chemical natural molecules. Instead of sleep medications or classical methods, we are talking about integrating natural molecules into yarn and textile products. Whether while knitting, during daily life or through a pillowcase, there is an effect mechanism that reaches the body via skin and scent. In other words, you do not take a drug directly into the body, and a method without side effects is targeted.”
The “Sleeping Yarn” project, which aims to offer a natural, side effect free and daily life compatible solution for sleep disorders, stands out as a notable example of university industry cooperation.
Supported under the TÜBİTAK TEYDEB 1505 University Industry Cooperation Support Program, the project is carried out under the coordination of Bursa Technical University, in collaboration with Üsküdar University, Bursa High Specialization Hospital and Ormo Wool Yarn.
Within the scope of the 24-month project, specially developed yarns are intended to be used in pillowcases, sheets, pajamas and similar textile products to support sleep through scent and skin contact. The integration of natural molecules into the yarn structure through microencapsulation is planned.
Representing Üsküdar University as a researcher in the project, Asst. Prof. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı, a faculty member of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Head of the In Silico Research Laboratory, explained her motivation for joining the project and its scientific background.
The aim is to produce yarn without side effects
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that the idea of the project took shape through a former student who completed a master’s degree at Üsküdar University and is currently continuing doctoral studies at Bursa Technical University, saying: “My student became a bridge between two universities. We have always had the idea of working with natural molecules. During the master’s program, this student worked on natural molecules related to Alzheimer’s disease. Now, a project idea related to sleep regulation has emerged. As we know, sleep disorders and irregular sleep have become a current problem that affects all of us closely. We see these problems not only in adults but also in children. Therefore, our aim in this project is to produce functional products that we can use in daily life by integrating suitable candidates obtained from natural, non-chemical molecules into the yarn structure. This process may start with a ball of yarn and later transform into different textile products.”
Drug free sleep regulation is targeted
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı noted that the project targets GABA and melatonin receptors, which play a key role in sleep regulation in the brain and said: “Sleep disorders are generally treated with medication. However, these drugs often do not provide quality sleep. We aim to develop a side effect free alternative by targeting receptors involved in the brain’s sleep regulation mechanism through natural molecule screenings. There are certain proteins in our brain that play a key role in sleep regulation. These are called GABA receptors and melatonin receptors. By targeting these receptors, we will screen a pool of natural molecules and determine suitable candidates. Afterwards, these will be integrated into the yarn structure using microencapsulation, and initially a yarn ball will be produced.”
A tangible product will emerge at the end of the project
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı explained that the project team is coordinated by Bursa Technical University and that she participates as a researcher representing Üsküdar University, stating: “The clinical studies of the project will be carried out at Bursa High Specialization Hospital. The product will be tested on individuals with sleep disorders and control groups.”
Reminding that one of Türkiye’s well established yarn manufacturers is involved in the project as an industry partner, Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı said: “Many studies conducted in academia remain only in the literature. As academics, we often conduct research, but few projects turn into concrete products. This project excites me greatly because in the end, a tangible, hands on product will emerge. The company involved also supports this work. This will be a first. It is an innovative product. Until now, such a functional contribution has not been integrated into yarn structure.”
“Just imagine sleep toys for children and babies made from this yarn”
Emphasizing that the study has great potential despite being at an early stage, Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı said: “The idea is truly wonderful. Being part of daily life is very valuable. Just imagine sleep toys for children and babies made from this yarn. While a baby plays with a toy or someone is knitting, the microcapsules in the yarn open and the molecules enter the body through scent and skin. In this way, the effect mechanism is activated very quickly and there are no side effects. It is truly a beautiful idea. I hope our results will be just as successful.”
The key role of the project lies at Üsküdar University
Emphasizing that the Üsküdar University team has undertaken a critical responsibility in the project, Asst. Prof. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated, “The key work package of this project is ours. We will identify the molecule. This is an extremely critical stage that requires great responsibility, because the selected molecule will be integrated into the yarn structure and the process will move to a point of no return.”
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı noted that the recently established Üsküdar University In Silico Research Laboratory provides a significant scientific infrastructure for the project, saying, “Thanks to the advanced simulation programs we use in our laboratory, we will be able to screen large pools of natural molecules in a very short time. This will provide serious savings in both time and cost. Molecules identified through simulations in the initial stage will shorten experimental processes and allow us to work with stronger candidates.”
Recalling that GABA and melatonin receptors are targeted in the project, Asst. Prof. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı said, “We will conduct an effective molecular screening targeting GABA and melatonin receptors that play a role in sleep regulation in the brain. From the moment I say, ‘this is the molecule,’ the entire process will move forward based on it. Therefore, this stage carries very high responsibility and is also extremely exciting.”
Working with molecules of proven safety
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı emphasized that only proven, FDA approved natural molecules are being screened in the study, stating, “There is no situation where we randomly isolate a molecule from any plant. We are working with molecules that are free of side effects and whose safety has been proven. However, these molecules may not have been previously known to interact with these receptors. This is exactly where the scientific novelty of the study emerges.”
She added that following molecular screening, integration into the yarn and clinical trials will begin, and also drew attention to the social impact of the project.
Such a study has never been conducted abroad either
Asst. Prof. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı pointed out that the “Sleeping Yarn” project is an innovative study with no equivalent not only in Türkiye but also internationally, stating, “Such a study has never been conducted abroad either. The evaluation process at TÜBİTAK TEYDEB is very different from classical project applications. We held face to face meetings with reviewers and presented simultaneously to two or three reviewers. A very detailed evaluation took place in a question-and-answer format. The literature section was examined in great detail, questioning whether this had been done before, whether there was an example in the world or not. As a result, it became clear that such a study had not been conducted previously.”
Highlighting that one of the most important innovations of the project is its reliance on natural, non-chemical molecules, Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı said, “The most important point here is the use of non-chemical natural molecules. Instead of sleep medications or classical methods, we are talking about integrating natural molecules into yarn and textile products. Whether while knitting, in daily life or through a pillowcase, there is an effect mechanism that enters the body via skin and scent. In other words, you do not take the drug directly into the body, and a method without side effects is targeted.”
“At the end of the project, we want to have truly tangible products, actual yarn balls”
Touching upon the patent process, Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that transforming the project into a concrete product is one of the most important goals and said, “This study is definitely a patent focused project. Initially, there was the idea of obtaining the patent alone, but as the academic team that identifies the molecule, I clearly stated that we must be co-owners of the patent. Publications will be produced in any case, but our main goal is to obtain the patent. At the end of the project, we want to have truly tangible products, actual yarn balls. Seeing an output that has truly turned into a product is very exciting.”
Asst. Prof. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that the study will fill an important gap both scientifically and socially, adding that the “Sleeping Yarn” project aims to make a side effect free and innovative contribution to human health.
The scientific journey extended from a master’s thesis to a product
Drawing attention to the long-term academic effort behind the project, Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that the foundations of the study are based on a master’s thesis. Explaining that this process began before the In Silico Research Laboratory was established at Üsküdar University and reached its current stage through determined and disciplined teamwork, she said, “We started working with this student during the master’s period. She was extremely motivated and open to self improvement. She completed both her undergraduate and master’s education at Üsküdar University. Since we did not have a doctoral program, she went to Bursa. We produced five scientific publications from a single master’s thesis. She gave presentations and worked actively. At this point, we once again saw how important faculty student harmony and collaborative production are.”
The In Silico Laboratory was established through persistence
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı noted that the In Silico Research Laboratory, which now provides scientific infrastructure for the project, was not established easily but is the result of long-term academic effort, stating, “When we did not have a laboratory, we used various platforms with short term permissions, so to speak, by asking for favors. We presented the resulting publications to the university administration and said, ‘Much more work can be done with this infrastructure.’ Fortunately, they supported us, and today we are seeing the fruits of this opportunity.”
Emphasizing that the “Sleeping Yarn” project is not seen as a single standalone study, Asst. Prof. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı concluded by saying, “This is my first experience with TÜBİTAK TEYDEB. Even before the project officially starts, I was asked to give a presentation at the launch. The project has not yet begun, but everyone is eagerly waiting for it to turn into a product.”