Dr. Rakesh Bhaskar,a distinguished international faculty and thought leader at the School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, South Korea. Renowned for his trailblazing research in biomaterials, tissue engineering, and cellular agriculture, Dr. Bhaskar’s work exemplifies the fusion of scientific rigor and visionary innovation. His remarkable studies in bioreactor design and scaffold engineering have placed him at the forefront of cultivated meat and alternative protein technology. With a rare blend of multidisciplinary expertise and global perspective, Dr. Bhaskar continues to inspire the next generation of food scientists and engineers across the world.
In this exclusive email interview withNaresh Nunna of Neo Science Hub,Dr. Rakesh Bhaskar offers thought-provoking insights drawn from his pioneering research on bioengineering for cultivated meat. He discusses engineering challenges in scaling bioreactor systems, the potential of India’s agro-waste for affordable scaffolding, novel strategies in microcarrier and cell culture optimization, and the future of biodegradable protein-based packaging tailored for alternative proteins. His responses illuminate the cutting-edge intersections of biotechnology and food engineering, marking India’s promising opportunities in global cellular agriculture. Here are the excerpts:
Your 2022 review on cultivated meat bioengineering provides extensive analysis of bioreactor systems. What are the most critical engineering challenges in scaling stirred-tank reactors from laboratory spinner flasks to industrial 300 m³ bioreactors, and how can computational fluid dynamics (CFD) optimize mass transfer while minimizing shear stress damage to cultured muscle cells?
One of the most pressing challenges in scaling stirred-tank reactors from lab spinner flasks to industrial bioreactors (e.g., 300 m³) is achieving uniform mass transfer and oxygenation across immense volumes while minimizing mechanical damage to sensitive muscle cells. The agitated bioreactor environments often risk excessive shear stress, directly compromising cell viability and differentiation, which is critical for cultivated meat production. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), especially with machine learning-enabled simulation models, offers a powerful avenue. CFD can precisely map turbulent eddies and oxygen distribution in silico, allowing process engineers to tweak impeller speed or geometry for optimal nutrient mixing and gentle fluid flow, thus preventing cell death. CFD analyses with automation and recent technologies further permit rapid prototyping and scenario testing, something impossible with physical reactors at this scale. This results in improved mass transfer efficiency and reduced dead zones while fine-tuning agitation regimes to protect fragile cells during scale-up transitions.
Given your expertise in decellularized ECM scaffolds and plant-based biomaterials, how can India leverage agricultural byproducts and plant scaffolds to create cost-effective, edible scaffolding systems for structured cultivated meat that replicate the texture and mouthfeel of conventional meat cuts?
The plant-based biomaterials and decellularized ECM scaffolds are important for India, with its immense agro-waste and diverse botanical resources, provides platform to innovate cost-effective, edible scaffolding systems. Materials such as decellularized leaves, fruits, and other plant parts are structurally versatile, affordable, and scalable options. Material characterizations can accelerate testing for scaffold mechanical properties, porosity, and compatibility with muscle cell adhesion. By using these agricultural byproducts, India can create structured cultivated meat cuts exhibiting a conventional texture similar to traditional meat stews or curries.
Your research highlights microcarrier aggregation as a major challenge in suspension cell culture for cultivated meat. What innovations in microcarrier surface chemistry, bead-to-bead cell transfer mechanisms, and agitation strategies show the most promise for achieving high-density muscle cell cultivation in perfusion bioreactors?
Microcarrier aggregation remains a big challenge for high-density cell growth in suspension cultures. Innovations are emerging in several key areas such as microcarrier surface chemistry with coatings with plant-derived ECM proteins or sustainable and cost-effective adhesive materials to decrease microcarrier aggregation and also to promote uniform cell attachment. The next challenge lies with bead-to-bead transfer, where microcarrier surfaces should be engineered to facilitate efficient cell migration between beads, minimizing cell loss and aggregation. Finally, efficient strategies need to be devised for agitation of the medium. The stir rates and flow of microcarriers can affect the cellular processes of the adhered cells and its proliferation for high-density cell proliferation for efficient meat production.
Your work on protein-based biopolymers for food packaging has garnered significant citations. How can the same bioengineering principles used to create biodegradable protein films be applied to develop sustainable, functional packaging solutions specifically designed for cultivated meat and precision-fermented protein products that maintain product integrity while addressing consumer sustainability expectations?
The protein-based biopolymers (such as whey proteins, gluten, pectin, gelatin, and otheranimal/plant proteins) for food packaging demonstrate that the blending proteins, plasticizers, and functional fillers can be utilized to develop eco-friendly packaging for cultivated meat and precision-fermented proteins. The biopolymer mechanical and barrier properties facilitate rapid prototyping of films tailored to the specific respiration rates, moisture requirements, and shelf-life of cultivated meat. Biodegradable protein films enhanced with nanocomposite additives or antioxidant agents can maintain product integrity and freshness while satisfying consumer demands for sustainability. These types of packaging formulations remain robust in real-world supply chains, adapting to product characteristics and strict regulatory standards.
