The “GPD Innovation Awards,” organized by the Food Retailers Association (GPD) to highlight innovative works that make a difference in the food ecosystem, found their recipients. In this context, Lale Oğuzhan, a Biotechnology Master's student at Üsküdar University Institute of Science, was awarded the ‘Innovation Award’ for her work titled “AuNPs-Based Lateral Flow Biosensor Design for Pesticide Residue Detection.” In the awards held within the scope of the Reliable Product Platform's ‘Feed The Future’ program, projects developed across a wide range, from producers to technology startups, were evaluated.
The GPD Innovation Awards, organized to highlight innovative practices that make a difference in the food ecosystem and to support the contributions of all stakeholders from producers to technology startups, found their recipients this year as well.
The projects deemed worthy of the award were shared with the public on the stage of the Joint Development Congress.
Achieved a success that inspires young researchers
Lale Oğuzhan, who completed her undergraduate education in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Erzurum Technical University and continues her master's degree in the Biotechnology Department of Üsküdar University, achieved a success with the GPD Innovation Award that inspires young researchers in both food safety and biotechnology.
Fast and easy use targeted in the field
Lale Oğuzhan stated that the project she developed is based on gold nanoparticle (AuNPs)-based rapid diagnostic kits, emphasizing that the most important feature of these kits is their ease of use by anyone in the field.
Oğuzhan; “This project essentially works as a ‘presence/absence’ test. It can be determined in a very short time whether there is a pesticide residue using the fruit extract. It's a system that anyone, from exporters to producers, can use without needing a laboratory environment,” she said.
While contributing to ensuring food safety, the project aims to pave the way for more accurate decision-making processes through the rapid detection of pesticide residues.
The method's foundation is the same, application area is different…
Oğuzhan, who carried out her master's thesis on diagnostic methods for Behçet's disease, adapted the same biosensor technology to the field of food safety, developing an innovative approach for pesticide detection.
Oğuzhan stated that both genetic and chemical molecules can be detected with gold nanoparticles, and in this respect, the project offers a unique and applicable solution. Oğuzhan; “There is still no modern and rapid diagnostic method for Behçet's disease in the world. I developed a method using gold nanoparticles to detect the target gene and became a finalist at TEKNOFEST with this project. I realized that I could adapt the same method, by simplifying it further, for the detection of pesticide residues,” she said.
She also emphasized that in Behçet's disease, blood samples are used, while in pesticide detection, food extract is used; highlighting that the foundation of the method is the same, but the areas of application are different.
Entrepreneurship-focused training process continues…
Oğuzhan stated that she has filed patent applications for both projects, and conveyed that her work was accepted at Marmara Teknokent and that the entrepreneurship-focused training process is ongoing. Oğuzhan, who plans to apply for other support programs in the coming period, aims to establish her own biotechnology venture in the long term.
“I want to be in the field more than academia”
Lale Oğuzhan, emphasizing that she is considering pursuing a doctorate but her primary goal is entrepreneurship, said; “I want to be more in the field. Academia is very valuable, but my goal is to introduce the diagnostic and treatment methods I developed to the world. I want to participate in international fairs, establish my own biotechnology company, and bring innovative solutions from Turkey to the global market.”
“I want young people to see this and be encouraged”
Oğuzhan, who also works as a teacher and prepares her students for competitions like TEKNOFEST, drew attention to the importance of young people gaining project writing and idea development skills at an early age. Oğuzhan; “Turning an idea into a project is not as difficult as it seems. My projects also have high applicability and can be put into practice. I want young people to see this and be encouraged.” she said.