Innovative strategies for the scalable production of cultivated meat

This project addresses the urgent need for sustainable, scalable protein sources by advancing cultivated meat production.

Project Summary

Traditional livestock farming is environmentally unsustainable, consuming vast land, water, and generating 14.5% of global GHG emissions. Cultivated meat offers a promising alternative, using 95% less land, 78% less water, and emitting 92% fewer GHGs. However, large-scale production requires efficient muscle cell growth and maturation. This interdisciplinary project combines biochemical engineering, stem cell biology, and biomaterials to develop edible, nutritious scaffolds that support muscle cell alignment and differentiation in bioreactors. Using natural materials like rice, chia, and alginate, fibre-like scaffolds will be engineered to guide cell growth and respond to mechanical stimuli during bioreactor mixing. The goal is to replicate the texture and nutritional value of conventional meat at scale. Building on prior success in stem cell bioprocessing and edible biomaterials, this project aims to create a viable, sustainable platform for cultivated meat manufacturing.