Donate

Academics

Solutions Database

Understanding uptake and interconversion of omega-3 fatty acids by cultivated fish cells

Although fish are one of the best dietary sources of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (FAs), these compounds are mostly bioaccumulated from a fish’s diet rather than synthesized de novo. Consistent with this, studies have found evidence of reduced omega-3 content in fish as a result of replacing fish-based feed with plant-based feed. Therefore, for cultivated fish to compete with conventionally-produced products, it will be necessary to identify cost-effective strategies for increasing the content of nutritionally-important omega-3 FAs in cultivated fish.

  1. Academics
  2. Cell culture media
  3. Cell line development
  4. Commercial
  5. Cultivated
  6. Host strain development
  7. Industry
  8. R&D
  9. Raw Materials, Ingredients, & Inputs
  10. Research
  11. Science
  12. Seafood
  13. Startups
Solutions Database

Scaffolding development for culinary and biomechanical requirements of cultivated seafood

A number of published studies have focused on scaffolds for cultivated meat (see Related Efforts) yet, to our knowledge, no studies have specifically attempted to formulate scaffolds for fish or tested growth of fish cells on scaffolds developed for terrestrial meat. Because fish uniquely differ from terrestrial meat in structure, research aimed specifically at developing and testing scaffolds for fish products would advance the industry. Both scaffolding materials as well as methods for achieving the correct three-dimensional structure should be investigated.

  1. 0 - Complete whitespace
  2. Academics
  3. Cell line development
  4. Commercial
  5. Cultivated
  6. Industry
  7. R&D
  8. Raw Materials, Ingredients, & Inputs
  9. Research
  10. Scaffolding
  11. Science
  12. Seafood
  13. Startups
Solutions Database

Building interdisciplinary university research centers of excellence

Interdisciplinary research is essential for tackling many of the complex problems facing today’s world. Though the number of research projects advancing alternative protein science has increased in recent years, this research has been conducted in a largely disjointed fashion with few centralized hubs for coordination. The field would benefit from dedicated interdisciplinary research centers to drive the science and technology needed to address our unsustainable food and agriculture system. University centers of excellence are essential to rallying researchers and industry partners to tackle complex questions facing the alternative protein field today.

  1. 2 - Early adoption
  2. Academics
  3. Cultivated
  4. Donors
  5. Ecosystem
  6. Fermentation
  7. Industry
  8. Industry
  9. NGO's
  10. Plant-Based
  11. Policy
  12. Policymakers
  13. R&D
  14. Science
  15. Species-agnostic
  16. Startups
  17. Workforce
Solutions Database

Building alternative protein programs and majors at universities

To ensure a strong talent pipeline, there is a need to launch robust university programming, ranging from certificate programs to short multi-course modules, centered around alternative protein. Full majors would include food science and other enabling sciences that help propel alternative protein food technology forward, as well as interdisciplinary coursework providing historical, economic, and philosophical context for food technology. Shorter multi-course modules and non-major certificate programs (like minors) could focus on enabling sciences, interdisciplinary background subjects, and/or business strategies for transforming our food system.

  1. Academics
  2. Cultivated
  3. Ecosystem
  4. Fermentation
  5. GFI
  6. Industry
  7. Plant-Based
  8. R&D
  9. Science
  10. Species-agnostic
  11. Workforce
Solutions Database

Increasing the number, quality, and diversity of alternative protein-relevant university courses

There is a significant and urgent need to launch and support university and online courses in order to build and extend the talent pipeline of students going into the alternative protein industry. Coursework can range from introductory to highly specialized, and will ideally be focused specifically on alternative proteins, but support for degree programs in enabling sciences will also be useful to the industry. A platform for sharing curriculum across institutions will empower new entrants to more easily build their own alternative protein courses.

  1. Academics
  2. Cultivated
  3. Ecosystem
  4. Fermentation
  5. GFI
  6. Industry
  7. Plant-Based
  8. R&D
  9. Science
  10. Species-agnostic
  11. Workforce
Solutions Database

Fiber spinning innovations for improved plant protein texturization

Fibers from non-traditional texturization techniques like electrospinning, jet spinning, or blow spinning could impart texture throughout a product even if they don’t comprise the bulk of the end product, which may render these approaches economically viable for enhancing texture within a bulk product even at a relatively small scale.

  1. 2 - Early adoption
  2. Academics
  3. Commercial
  4. End product formulation & manufacturing
  5. End Products
  6. Industry
  7. Plant-Based
  8. Production
  9. R&D
  10. Raw Materials, Ingredients, & Inputs
  11. Research
  12. Species-agnostic
  13. Startups
Solutions Database

Establishing student groups at key universities

Universities are epicenters for creative problem-solving and cutting-edge research advancements, and they can serve as engines for interdisciplinary innovation. However, this potential is not being tapped fully by the alternative protein industry. University student groups at key universities can foster robust, in-person communities for students and researchers interested in elevating the profile of alternative proteins within the academy. This will generate a talent pipeline of informed and empowered young people poised to enter the sector after their education while simultaneously spurring greater awareness and involvement among established faculty members.

  1. Academics
  2. Cultivated
  3. Demand Generation
  4. Donors
  5. Ecosystem
  6. Fermentation
  7. GFI
  8. NGO's
  9. Plant-Based
  10. R&D
  11. Species-agnostic
  12. Workforce
Solutions Database

Species-specific genomic studies enabling assay development for regulatory standards and cell line optimization

A suite of assays and genomic knowledge exists for humans and commonly used laboratory species such as mice or fruit flies. However, the same species-specific infrastructure does not exist equally across the species used in cultivated meat, with an especially large gap in seafood species. Commercialized, standardized assays for species identification such as Short Tandem Repeat (STR) or Cytochrome C Oxidase I (COI) assays are needed. Additionally, richer genetic datasets, including thorough genome annotations that facilitate identification of safe harbor loci, can broadly accelerate cell line optimization studies.

  1. Academics
  2. Cell line development
  3. Cultivated
  4. Industry
  5. R&D
  6. Research
  7. Science
  8. Seafood-relevant
Donate