First Ever 3D Printed Ribeye Steak with Real Cow Cells

Earlier this week, Aleph Farms, announced that they had successfully developed the world’s first slaughter-free ribeye steak, by 3D bioprinting real cow cells. This achievement was the result of a collaboration between the Israeli start-up and Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, a globally renowned science and technology research university. While Aleph Farms were able to create a slaughter-free thin-cut steak without additive manufacturing technologies in 2018, their new proprietary technology relies on 3D bioprinting and can be used to create any type of steak. Thanks to this new technology the company have cultivated a 3D printed ribeye steak, a far thicker cut.

Didier Toubia, the co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms commented: “This breakthrough reflects an artistic expression of the scientific expertise of our team. I am blessed to work with some of the greatest people in this industry. We recognize some consumers will crave thicker and fattier cuts of meat. This accomplishment represents our commitment to meeting our consumer’s unique preferences and taste buds, and we will continue to progressively diversify our offerings.”

The Aleph Farms Team. (Photo Credit: Aleph Farms)

The steak was fabricated using 3D bioprinting technology and real cow cells, without genetic engineering and immortalization, the natural building blocks of meat. The process begins with the 3D bioprinting of living cow cells, which are then incubated so that they can grow, differentiate and interact. The latter step is essential in achieving the texture and qualities of a real steak. Mirroring the naturally occurring process of vascularization in tissues, this allows nutrients to perfuse across the thicker tissue. This means that the 3D printed steak will resemble the structure and shape of a steak taken from livestock both before and after being cooked. The 3D printed steak also integrates similar muscle, fat, and organoleptic attributes of a butchered steak.