Bioluminescent Aromatic Sleep Aid Device
Yeast Bio-Glow & Aroma: Science for Your Golden Sleep
PROBLEM - IN THE DAY
City life glows with neon,
runs at full speed,
and presses in from all sides.
runs at full speed,
and presses in from all sides.
LONG SCREEN TIME
Endless scrolling, blue light,
and stress hijack our
natural rhythms.
and stress hijack our
natural rhythms.
IMAGINATION
But one night, I went camping — no screens, just stars, wind, and wildflowers.
I slept like I hadn't in years.
What if synthetic biology could help us restore the feeling of true rest in fast-paced city lives?
PROMOTION
STARRY NIGHT
We engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a modified ferulic acid bypass pathway to emit soft, circadian-safe
light. Through a tyrosine-to-caffeic acid biosynthetic circuit (TAL, HpaB, HpaC), yeast produces luciferin,
enabling visible bioluminescence via luciferase catalysis — like sleeping under starlight.
WILD FLOWER
Saccharomyces cerevisiae converts glucose into IPP and DMAPP via the MVA pathway, which are further assembled
into GPP and FPP.
By introducing enzyme genes through synthetic biology, the yeast produces the required enzymes to transform
these substrates into diverse aroma compounds.
PRODUCT IMAGE
The device facilitates sleep through dual sensory pathways: visually, by creating a micro-luminescent
environment that enhances melatonin secretion, and olfactorily, by generating an aromatic environment that calms
emotions.
OUR PROJECT
HOPE
Vesper is a living sleep companion
— combining scent and light to recreate the feeling of sleeping under the stars.
— combining scent and light to recreate the feeling of sleeping under the stars.