We sequenced the burn.
Scoville Splice reads the complete genome of the world’s hottest peppers, maps the capsaicin pathway gene by gene, and builds a ten‑tier tasting ladder from it. 3 million to 13 million SHU.
Specimens
10
Peak SHU
13M
Key Gene
Pun1 /AT3
Heat, read at the source.
We sequence the full genome of every specimen, isolate the capsaicin‑biosynthesis genes, and read pungency where it is actually made — the placental tissue of the fruit. Each tier in the lineup is engineered through targeted genomic edits to the capsaicin pathway, graded on the Scoville scale and documented like a lab specimen.
The Lineup
Ten proprietary cultivar specifications. SHU shown are engineered design targets. Full sequences are restricted — request access per specimen.
Where we stand.
Ten engineered cultivars plotted against every current world record. The hottest pepper ever measured tops out at 2.69 million SHU. Our lowest specimen starts at 3 million.
How we built the peppers.
Six computational biology disciplines integrated into a single pipeline. Heat as an engineering problem.
01 · READ
Transcriptomics
Profile gene expression in superhot pepper placental tissue. Identify when and where capsaicinoid biosynthesis genes activate.
02 · MODEL
Flux Analysis
Build a constraint-based model of the capsaicinoid pathway. Discover that the vanillylamine branch — not capsaicin synthase — controls 90% of total flux.
03 · DESIGN
AI Engineering
Use ESM2, a 650-million-parameter protein language model, to scan every possible mutation in capsaicin synthase and identify the variants most likely to enhance activity.
04 · EDIT
CRISPR Constructs
Design 24 precision guide RNAs and 25 complete DNA constructs — 31,911 base pairs of synthesis-ready DNA.
05 · BLEND
Capsaicinoid Ratios
Compute exact five-capsaicinoid ratios for each heat level, accounting for TRPV1 receptor binding and burn profile characteristics.
License the genome.
The full sequence behind each specimen — and the capsaicin-pathway work that produced it — is proprietary IP, available to partners under license. Food & beverage, CPG, research, and retail.
Partner with usSpecimen License
One cultivar
Sector License
A category
Genome / Platform
Full data + method
The platform in data.
25
DNA constructs
31,911 total bp
24
CRISPR guide RNAs
Precision editing
4,365
DEGs identified
RNA-seq analysis
650M
AI model params
ESM2 protein LM
90%
Flux control
Vanillylamine branch
0%
Pun1 flux control
The big discovery
5
Capsaicinoids
In every blend
4.8×
World record
Pepper X at 2.69M
Three years in the making.
A research company — not a label slapped on someone else’s pepper.
2024
Founded
The capsaicin-genomics platform begins.
2024–25
The Platform
Reference genomes assembled; the capsaicin pathway mapped and modeled end to end.
2025
The Ladder
Ten graded specifications designed and ranked — each engineered to its own heat setpoint.
2026
Opening
Preprint published, DNA sequences deposited, licensing opens.
Preprint
Zenodo
DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23267360
Manuscript
bioRxiv
BIORXIV/2026/758036
DNA Sequences
NCBI GenBank
SUB16548149
Request a sample.
Our specimens are produced in controlled batches, so allocations are scheduled with lead time. Reserve yours and we’ll be in touch.
Safety
Super-hot peppers and extracts can cause real pain and harm. Handle with care, keep away from children, wash hands and avoid eyes, and consume at your own risk.
About the brand
Scoville Splice is a culinary-genomics company. The specimen names and threat-level language are brand storytelling, not literal medical or biohazard claims. Heat ratings are engineered design targets, published as approximate until independently confirmed by HPLC. Patent pending.