Massachusetts to invest US$2.1 million to establish cellular agriculture innovation center at Tufts University

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll’s administration have announced a US$2.1 million grant to establish the Foodtech Engineering for Alternative Sustainable Technologies (FEAST) center at Tufts University. The investment is aimed at fostering growth in Massachusetts' cellular agriculture sector, supporting workforce development, and advancing cultivated meat technologies. This project is part of a larger strategy to enhance sustainable food production and develop the local bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem. Here’s a deeper look into the project, its goals, and what it means for the future of alternative protein research in the state.

The FEAST center at Tufts University is envisioned as a game-changer in the cellular agriculture and food-tech sectors. It will focus on the development and scaling of cultivated meat and other cellular agriculture products, which involve growing animal cells in bioreactors to produce meat products without the need for livestock farming. This field promises to offer a more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional meat production, which contributes to environmental degradation and poses animal welfare concerns.

The grant comes from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), part of the MassTech Collaborative. The Healey-Driscoll administration’s decision to invest in this initiative reflects a growing interest in innovative food production technologies that can help tackle climate change, food insecurity, and resource scarcity. Cellular agriculture could play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of food production, providing alternatives to methane-heavy cattle farming, and addressing the growing global demand for protein.

“We’re proud of the advances Massachusetts is making in cellular agriculture, leveraging our biomanufacturing infrastructure and research expertise to address the challenges of climate change and shifting supply chains,” commented Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “With Tufts University leading the charge, we’re fostering innovation and creating new opportunities for our workforce in this emerging field."

“This investment in FEAST is an important step forward for innovation in bioindustrial manufacturing and food science,” added MassTech Deputy Director and Chief Investment Strategist, and Interim CAM Director Ben Linville-Engler. “By adding infrastructure specifically focused on cellular agriculture, this investment will greatly accelerate the translation of Tufts research to deployed products and help advance new manufacturing processes and technologies. FEAST will also enable companies and academic institutions throughout the state to test and commercialize their cellular agriculture products, accelerating food technology innovation in Massachusetts.”

FEAST will serve as a hub for innovation, research, and collaboration between academic institutions and industry players. The center is designed to foster the prototyping and commercialization of new products, attract companies working in bioindustrial manufacturing, and strengthen the state’s reputation as a leader in the cellular agriculture field. Tufts University is already a pioneering force in this sector, with researchers exploring the possibilities of lab-grown meat and other sustainable food products.

One of the center’s critical objectives is to develop a pipeline of skilled workers for the cellular agriculture and biomanufacturing industries. As the field grows, there will be increasing demand for scientists, engineers, and technicians trained in the unique challenges of cellular agriculture production. The FEAST center will help meet this need by providing hands-on training, developing new educational programs, and offering opportunities for students to engage directly with cutting-edge technologies.

The US$2.1 million investment is also expected to lead to significant economic benefits for the state. The creation of the FEAST center is anticipated to generate around 60 new jobs in bioindustrial manufacturing, contributing to Massachusetts’ high-tech economy. Additionally, by establishing the state as a hub for cellular agriculture, the project could attract more companies to set up operations, further boosting job creation and economic growth.

Governor Healey has emphasized the importance of ensuring Massachusetts remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. “With this funding, we are building the future of food production right here in the Commonwealth,” she said in a statement. “Investments like these are essential to creating new jobs, supporting our local economy, and addressing global challenges such as climate change.”

The FEAST center will also foster collaboration between academia and industry. One of the key goals is to create partnerships with local and international companies in the cellular agriculture space, providing them with the resources they need to develop new products, scale-up production, and bring innovative solutions to market. The collaboration between Tufts University researchers and industry leaders is expected to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies in food production.

Additionally, the center will serve as a testing ground for new products, allowing companies to prototype, experiment, and refine their offerings before scaling up for commercial production. This could be particularly beneficial for start-ups and smaller companies that may not have the resources to conduct large-scale testing and production on their own.

(Photo courtesy of Joshua Qualls/Governor's Press Office]