The “Sleeping Yarn” project, which aims to develop a natural, side-effect-free, and daily-life-compatible solution for sleep disorders, stands out as one of the prominent examples of university-industry collaboration. It is being implemented within the scope of the TÜBİTAK TEYDEB 1505 – University-Industry Collaboration Support Program.
Within the scope of the 24-month project, special yarns will be developed. These yarns are intended to be used in textile products such as pillowcases, sheets, pajamas, and similar items, to aid sleep through scent and skin contact. The project plans to integrate natural molecules into the yarn structure using the microencapsulation method.
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı, Assistant Professor and Manager of the In Silico Research Laboratory, who is participating as a researcher from Üsküdar Üniversitesi in the project, stated, “The most important issue here is the use of non-chemical natural molecules. Instead of sleep medications or classic methods, we are talking about integrating natural molecules into yarn and textile products. While knitting, in daily life, or in a pillowcase, there is a mechanism of action that passes into the body through the skin and scent. This means you are not taking the drug directly into your body; a method without side effects is being targeted.”
The “Sleeping Yarn” project, which aims to develop a natural, side-effect-free, and daily-life-compatible solution for sleep disorders, stands out as one of the prominent examples of university-industry collaboration.
The project, supported within the scope of the TÜBİTAK TEYDEB 1505 – University-Industry Collaboration Support Program, is being implemented under the leadership of Bursa Technical University, in collaboration with Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Hastanesi and Ormo Yün İplik.
Within the scope of the 24-month project, special yarns will be developed. These yarns are intended to be used in textile products such as pillowcases, sheets, pajamas, and similar items, to aid sleep through scent and skin contact. The project plans to integrate natural molecules into the yarn structure using the microencapsulation method.
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı, a faculty member of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Manager of the In Silico Research Laboratory, representing Üsküdar Üniversitesi as a researcher in the project, explained her motivation for joining the project and the scientific infrastructure of the study.
Aiming to produce yarn without side effects…
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that the idea for the project took shape through her former student, Münteha Girgin, who completed her master's degree at Üsküdar Üniversitesi and is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at Bursa Technical University. She said, “My student, Münteha Girgin, essentially became a bridge between the two universities. We always had working with natural molecules in mind. During her master's, this student conducted a study on natural molecules for Alzheimer's. Now, a project idea related to sleep regulation has emerged here. As we know, sleep disorders and irregularities are becoming a current problem that affects all of us very closely. We see such problems not only in adults but also in children. Therefore, our aim in this project is to integrate suitable candidates obtained from natural, non-chemical molecules, which have no side effects, into the yarn structure to produce functional products that we can use in our daily lives. This process can start with a ball of yarn and transform into different textile products in later stages.”
Drug-free sleep regulation is targeted
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı noted that the project targets GABA and melatonin receptors, which play a key role in the brain's sleep regulation. She said, “In sleep disorders, drug treatments are often resorted to. However, these drugs often do not provide quality sleep. We aim to develop a side-effect-free alternative by screening natural molecules that target the receptors involved in the brain's sleep regulation mechanism. There are certain proteins in our brain that play a key role in the sleep regulation mechanism. We call these GABA receptors and melatonin receptors. By targeting these receptors and screening a pool of natural molecules, we will identify suitable candidates. Afterwards, it is planned to integrate them into the yarn structure using the microencapsulation method and initially create a ball of yarn.”
A tangible product will emerge at the end of the project
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı explained that the project team is led by Bursa Technical University, and she participates in the project as a researcher representing Üsküdar Üniversitesi. She stated, “The clinical studies of the project will be carried out at Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Hastanesi. It will be tested on individuals experiencing sleep disorders and control groups.”
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı, reminding that a significant brand from Turkey's well-established yarn manufacturers is a project partner, said, “Many studies conducted in academia remain in the literature. We academics generally do research. Projects that turn into a concrete product are not very common. This project excites me greatly because, in the end, a concrete, tangible product will emerge. The company involved also supports this endeavor. This will be a first. It's an innovative product. There has never been such a functional product added to yarn structure until now.”
“Imagine sleep toys for children and babies being produced from this yarn…”
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı pointed out that despite being very new, the study carries great potential, stating, “The idea is truly wonderful. Its presence in daily life is very valuable. Imagine sleep toys for children and babies being produced from this yarn… While a baby plays with the toy or someone knits, the microcapsules inside the yarn open, and the molecules are absorbed into the body through scent and skin. This way, the mechanism of action kicks in very quickly, and no side effects are involved. It's truly a great idea. I hope our results are equally successful.”
Key work in the project is at Üsküdar Üniversitesi…
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı emphasized that the Üsküdar Üniversitesi team has taken on a critical responsibility in the project, stating, “The key work package in this project is with us. We will find the molecule. This is an extremely critical and highly responsible stage. Because the determined molecule will be integrated into the yarn structure, and the process will be taken to a point of no return.”
Dr. Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that the recently operational Üsküdar Üniversitesi In Silico Research Laboratory provides an important scientific infrastructure for the project. She said, “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 significant savings in both time and cost. In the first stage, molecules identified through simulation will shorten experimental processes and allow us to work with stronger candidates.”
Dr. Çarşıbaşı, reminding that GABA and melatonin receptors are targeted in the project, stated, “We will conduct an effective molecule screening targeting GABA and melatonin receptors, which play a role in sleep regulation in the brain. From that point on, as soon as I say 'this is the molecule,' the process will proceed based on it. Therefore, it is a stage with very high responsibility and is also very exciting.”
Working on molecules with proven safety
Dr. Çarşıbaşı emphasized that only natural, FDA-approved molecules with proven safety are screened in the study. She said, “There is no random isolation of a molecule from any plant. We are working on molecules that have no side effects and whose safety has been proven. However, the interaction of these molecules with these receptors may not have been known before. This is precisely where the scientific innovation here emerges.”
Çarşıbaşı stated that after the molecule screening, integration into the yarn and clinical trials would begin, also drawing attention to the project's societal impact.
Such a study has never been conducted abroad until now
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı pointed out that the “Sleeping Yarn” study is an innovative project unparalleled not only in Turkey but also abroad. She stated, “Such a study has never been conducted abroad until now. The evaluation process in TÜBİTAK TEYDEB proceeds very differently from classical project applications. We had one-on-one meetings with reviewers and presented to two-three reviewers simultaneously. It was a very detailed evaluation in a question-and-answer format. Especially the literature section was thoroughly examined; whether this had been done before, whether it hadn't, whether there was an example in the world, all were questioned. Consequently, it became clear that such a study had not been done before.”
Dr. Çarşıbaşı emphasized that one of the most important innovations of the project is its reliance on natural, non-chemical molecules. She said, “The most important issue here is the use of non-chemical natural molecules. Instead of sleep medications or classic methods, we are talking about integrating natural molecules into yarn and textile products. While knitting, in daily life, or in a pillowcase, there is a mechanism of action that passes into the body through the skin and scent. This means you are not taking the drug directly into your body; a method without side effects is being targeted.”
“At the end of the project, we want to have a truly tangible product, which means yarn balls”
Dr. Çarşıbaşı, also touching upon the patent process, stated that turning the project into a tangible product is one of the most important goals. She said, “This study is definitely a patent-oriented project. Initially, there was a situation where the patent would be taken solely, but I clearly stated that we, as the academic team who found the molecule, should be co-owners in the patent. A publication will come out regardless, but our main goal is to obtain the patent. At the end of the project, we want to have a truly concrete product in our hands, meaning yarn balls. Seeing an output that has truly transformed into a product is very exciting.”
Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that the study will fill a significant gap both scientifically and socially, adding that the “Sleeping Yarn” project aims to offer a side-effect-free and innovative contribution to human health.
Scientific journey extended from master's thesis to product
Dr. Çarşıbaşı pointed out that there is long-term academic effort behind the project, stating that the foundations of the study are based on a master's thesis. Dr. Nigar Kantarcı Çarşıbaşı stated that this process, which began before the In Silico Research Laboratory was established at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, has reached this point through determined and disciplined teamwork. She said, “We started working with this student during her master's degree. She was an extremely enthusiastic student, open to self-development. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Üsküdar Üniversitesi. Since we did not have a doctoral program, she went to Bursa. We produced five scientific publications from one master's thesis. She made presentations and worked actively. At this point, we once again saw how important the harmony between professor and student and co-production is.”
In Silico Laboratory established with persistence
Dr. Çarşıbaşı stated that the In Silico Research Laboratory, which provides the scientific infrastructure for the project today, was not established easily, but was the result of long-term academic effort. She said, “When we didn't have our laboratory, we used various platforms with short-term permissions, by 'begging' so to speak. We presented the resulting publications to the university administration. We said, 'Much more work can be done with this infrastructure.' Thankfully, they supported us, and today we are seeing the fruits of this opportunity.”
Dr. Çarşıbaşı emphasized that the “Sleeping Yarn” project is not seen as just a single study, concluding her words by saying, “This is my first experience with TÜBİTAK TEYDEB. I was asked to make a presentation at the launch even before the project began. The project hasn't started yet, but everyone is eagerly awaiting its transformation into a product.”