Artificial Veal Was Grown in Space for the First Time

An Israeli company Aleph Farms, together with partners from Russia and the US, produced artificial meat at the International Space Station. Aleph Farms announced it on Twitter, writes “Agro-Center”.

The essence of the experimental method is to simulate the process of regeneration of a cow’s muscle tissue. On a special 3D bioprinter developed by Russia’s 3D Bioprinting Solutions, the astronauts managed to grow a small piece of artificial beef, just a few millimeters in size, said 3D Bioprinting Solutions Project Manager, managing partner of 3D Bioprinting Solutions, Yousef Heshuani.

To grow the meat, company experts take cells from cows, grow them in a special nutrient medium, and then collect artificial muscle tissue from them. On Earth, this process is slower because it is limited by gravity. The meat grows in thin layers.

“The flesh is printed at the same time from all sides, just like when we make snowballs, while many other bio printers create it layer by layer,”

explained Joav Reisler, the company’s spokesman, to Space.com.

The beef production experiment, which took place at the ISS in late September, lasted for 7 days. Experts plan to grow artificial rabbit meat and fish. Youssef Heshuani said that partner companies plan to produce a large amount of artificial meat on the ISS, but that additional equipment must be brought to the station.