Proud to be awarded the NIFA-BARD-IIA investment by The Israel Innovation Authority

This groundbreaking research addresses one of the most significant challenges facing the future food industry: ensuring a supply of nutritious, protein-rich food for the world's growing population. Commercial-scale production of cultivated meat at costs comparable to conventional meat represents a key innovative solution for protein sourcing.

To prevent contamination during the sensitive cultivation process without relying on expensive clean-room facilities, the researchers are developing a "biological shield." This shield is based on natural, edible materials (polysaccharides), specifically derivatives of chitosan. Adding these substances to cell culture vessels will reduce the risk of contamination.

The project's major innovation lies in the ability to modify the chemical properties of these materials to suit industrial cultivation conditions within bioreactors. These innovative developments will render the materials water-soluble, stabilize the culture medium, and prevent bacterial contamination without harming the meat cells themselves.

The project is led by researchers Dr. Roni Rak and Dr. Elena Poverenov of the Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Institute), in collaboration with the Israeli food-tech company Aleph Farms. Aleph Farms defined the industrial requirements for the materials and will participate in testing them within industrial production processes. The project is further supported by international collaboration with Prof. David Kaplan of Tufts University in the USA.