MeaTech Unveils Largest Bioprinted Steak to Date

3D printed meat is back on the menu! MeaTech 3D, a company dedicated to the creation of cultured meat using 3D printing, has announced that they have successful bioprinted a 3.67oz (104g) steak, claimed to be the largest cultured steak worldwide to date. The company used their novel bioprinting method that uses real cells to accomplish this milestone. The news marks a continued progression in the world of 3D printed meat, which has been steadily growing in recent years as a way to prevent cruelty towards animals as well as in response to the increased environmental concerns connected to livestock.

To create this largest bioprinted steak, MeaTech produced cells by isolating bovine stem cells from samples and then multiplying them. These were them turned into bio-inks which could be used with MeaTech’s proprietary 3D bio-printer. These inks were printed from a digital design of a steak structure and placed in an incubator to mature. It was in this last process that the printed stem cells were differentiated into fat and muscle tissue respectively, making the resulting steak much more realistic.

The company notes that they decided to use 3D bioprinting as they thought that it would be the best way to recreate the complex tissue patterns in steak. With this latest milestone, MeaTech hopes to be one step closer to their goal of developing a true replacement for conventional steak. One that maximizes cell-based content rather than non-meat ingredients. This is relatively unique in the sector as instead of relying on plant proteins to make a semblance of meat, they have applied for a patent for a novel bioprinting method that would make chicken and steak products with real cells. Many of the other available 3D printed meats are plant-based, using soy or pea protein. Though this is not the first time that we have seen meat printed using cells. Back in February, Aleph Farms announced that they had created a ribeye steak by 3D bioprinting real cow cells.