TÜBİTAK 1001: Sustainable Microneedle Technology for Melanoma Treatment

The project entitled “Design and Development of Microneedles for Melanoma Treatment Using Lycopene and Cellulose Derived from Tomato Waste,” coordinated by Associate Professor Özlem Doğan Aydeniz from the Department of Bioengineering, has been selected for funding under the TÜBİTAK ARDEB 1001 Program. The project focuses on the design and fabrication of microneedles for cancer treatment using sustainable biomaterials such as lycopene and cellulose recovered from tomato processing waste. By transforming agricultural by-products into high-value biomedical materials, the research aims to contribute to innovative melanoma treatment strategies while promoting sustainable biotechnology and circular bioeconomy principles. The project is expected to generate novel solutions at the intersection of biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical technologies, and waste valorization.