Project aims
This project will help produce a hybrid hydrogel-based scaffold for cultivated meat production which would provide a modular and scalable alternative to existing scaffold systems. The work will also assess the feasibility of promoting fiber alignment of cultivated meat via tunable scaffolds. Additionally, it will help overcome key barriers facing cultivated meat production, including nutrient delivery to cells and waste removal. Ultimately, this work could reduce costs of cultivated meat production via a reduced need for chemical cues for cell differentiation and growth.
Principal researcher

Dr. Kelly Schultz
Assistant professor, Lehigh University, USA
Dr. Schultz has expertise in emerging hydrogel materials developed for biological applications. She has experience with novel methods of characterizing colloidal and polymeric gel scaffolds.

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Research grants
Learn about cutting-edge alternative protein research funded by GFI. Find funding opportunities for your own research.
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Explore research opportunities
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Cultivated
Mapping animal cell metabolism to optimize media formulation
The cost and environmental impact of cultivated meat are driven by the cell culture media formulation and its conversion efficiency into meat. Metabolic modeling and engineering techniques can aid media…
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Cultivated
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Fermentation
Consumer education on the food safety of cultivated meat
Consumer education on the food safety of cultivated meat can positively impact consumer acceptance when sufficient information is provided. Additional research and efforts to increase transparent science communication on the…
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Cultivated
Ensuring appropriate food safety controls for cultivated meat
Sterilization guidelines from well-established biomedical and food industries can act as helpful templates for safe cultivated meat production. However, more research is needed to identify potentially novel production hazards for…
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The science of cultivated meat
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Expanding access to cell lines
Lack of access to cell lines is a major barrier to cultivated meat research. This initiative is increasing access and funding the development of new lines.