HAPPY - High-throughput APPlication for replicative lifespan determination in Yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and bioethanol production. Genetic modifications enhance industrial strains by optimizing traits like alcohol formation, stress tolerance, and CO₂ production.
Like all cells, yeast ages, undergoing physiological and genetic changes that affect substrate uptake, product formation, and stress resistance—key factors in industrial processes. Despite its relevance, cell age remains underutilized in strain engineering due to complex and costly determination methods.
Beyond industry, yeast aging is crucial in translational medicine, yet traditional lifespan assays are labor-intensive and low-throughput.
The HAPPY Project aims to change that. Our patented microfluidic technology reduces workload by 92 %, enabling efficient lifespan tracking. We are now optimizing this innovation for real-world application, empowering both biotech and medical research to fully leverage yeast as a powerful production and model organism.
