BioPop Releases a Living, Bioluminescent Dinosaur: The Dino Pet

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --  Biological & Popular Culture, Inc. is releasing the world's first bioluminescent pet on October 8. Filled with light-producing phytoplankton called dinoflagellates, the Dino Pet uses the sun's energy to grow during the day and gives back an incredible natural light show when you play with it at night.

Every year, thousands of people travel the world to experience the magic of bioluminescence in nature. The Dino Pet allows seekers of this beautiful phenomenon a chance to experience it in the comfort of their own home. Much like a typical houseplant, the Dino Pet photosynthesizes to produce its own energy.

"We've created an interactive toy that instills a sense of wonder in people of all ages. The Dino Pet produces an alluring blue light by using sunlight, water and nutrients, instead of batteries and electricity. By getting kids to un-plug from the latest technology and connect with nature, we are inspiring young minds to ask questions and see that magic is found in understanding the world around us." says Andy Bass, CEO and co-founder of BioPop.

Key Points about the Dino Pet

• Innovative // The Dino Pet is a living design element that requires indirect sunlight during the day and gives an amazing light show when you play with it at night.
• Awe Inspiring // The Dino Pet allows you to hold one of nature's most magical occurrences in the palm of your hand.
• Simple // The Dino Pet is thoughtfully designed and easy to care for. It doesn't need to be taken on walks, picked up after or bathed. Just leave it on a desk or near a window to photosynthesize, and nature takes care of the rest.
• Educational // The Dino Pet is a fun, introductory pet that can teach responsibility and elicit questions and curiosity about the ocean and science.

What is the Dino Pet?

The Dino Pet is a living art piece, children's toy, introductory pet, biological magic trick, conversation starter, science lesson and much, much more all packed into one stylishly simple apatosaurus-shaped shell. If you've been fortunate enough to visit a bioluminescent bay or the beach during a red tide, you're likely familiar with the brilliant blue bioluminescence the Dino Pet displays. The Dino Pet lets you bring that magic into your own home, and enjoy it night after night.

The Story:

On a quest to produce a sustainable bio-light (biological light), Andy Bass and Dean Sauer discovered that taking care of dinoflagellates was like taking care of a pet. With a minimal amount of nurturing, the dinos, as they took to calling them, would create a magnificent light show. Further, the light show depended on how well they cared for them. Adapting a sleek, minimalist form from the nickname they gave the dinoflagellates, the Dino Pet was born.

About BioPop:

Driven by a passion for science, art and design, BioPop focuses on developing "living art" concepts that fuel the imagination, provide new answers for the way we live and enrich our understanding of the relationship between nature, science and humanity. Our work can be seen in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and in homes and offices around the world.

Biological & Popular Culture, Inc. (BioPop), a Delaware Corporation, is a majority owned subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON).

For detailed information, as well as images and b-roll footage of the Dino Pet and BioPop, visit biopop.com or contact Kyle Hall ([email protected]).

Related Links:
Biological & Popular Culture, Inc.
Dino Pet

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/The_Dino_Pet.mp4 
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141002/149978
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141002/149979

SOURCE Biological & Popular Culture, Inc.