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Breakthrough Bioreactor Produces Scalable Whole-Cut Lab-Grown Chicken

Scientists achieve a major milestone in cultured meat with a hollow fiber system that mimics blood vessels, enabling structured meat production and opening doors to broader applications.

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A stock image of chicken nuggets.
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Overview

  • Researchers from the University of Tokyo developed a hollow fiber bioreactor system capable of producing over 10 grams of whole-cut cultured chicken meat.
  • The bioreactor mimics blood vessels by delivering oxygen and nutrients to thicker tissues, overcoming a key challenge in lab-grown meat production.
  • Robot-assisted assembly scaled the system from 50 to 1,125 fibers, enabling the production of structured meat with improved texture and sensory properties.
  • The technology shows potential beyond food, with possible applications in regenerative medicine, drug testing, and biohybrid robotics.
  • Ongoing research focuses on improving oxygen delivery, automating fiber removal, and transitioning to food-safe materials for commercial viability.