As our daily routines become more fast paced, stress becomes normalized. 1 in 6 people in the European region live with a mental health condition, including anxiety which affects millions of people. From stressful university entrance exams to everyday responsibilities, we live and deal with anxiety everyday. Greece faces a severe mental health crisis with over 45% of the population experiencing increased anxiety according to a 2025 study. We rank highest in Europe for anxiety and depressive symptoms, with a stress score of 71.8/100. In recent years, the demand for accessible, stress-relief techniques has grown.
As MAVericks, we are addressing this problem directly.
We propose a way to genetically engineer yeast to produce linalool and nerolidol, alcohols with natural anxiety relieving properties. Supported by a 2022 study, we extended the pre-existing MVA pathway in yeast. Through plasmid insertion, we enabled the production of our desired alcohols that were then extracted and used as a base for the formulation of our essential oil.
Our solution will allow for scalable production of these natural stress relieving substances. As a preventative measure to severe anxiety levels, linalool and nerolidol can act as an alternative to addictive anxiety medication. This product can be implemented in classrooms and workspaces combatting the concerning stress levels we see in our lives everyday.
Impact & Significance
Here in Thessaloniki, we observe it every day, the stress, the pressure, the anxiety that’s become part of everyday life of all citizens. But it’s not just here. It’s in Athens, in Berlin, in New York… everywhere. Anxiety knows no borders and neither should solutions. That’s why we’re taking science from our city… to the world. We are MAVericks and this is our project!