Future research will focus on the long-term effects of nutrient delivery on tissue quality and adapting the technology for potential applications in organ fabrication.

Beyond food, the hollow fiber technology has potential applications in regenerative medicine, drug testing, and soft robotics, hinting at future developments like replacement organs.

Researchers at The University of Tokyo, led by Shoji Takeuchi, have developed a groundbreaking method for producing whole-cut cultured meat using a hollow fiber bioreactor that mimics vascular systems.

The research team utilized a robot-assisted assembly system to integrate over 1,000 hollow fibers into each nugget, ensuring comprehensive nutrient delivery to the growing chicken cells.

This innovative approach has resulted in the creation of the largest piece of lab-grown meat to date, a 10-gram chicken nugget that measures 7 cm long, 4 cm wide, and 2.25 cm thick.

Preliminary tests have shown promising improvements in taste and texture, indicating that the cultured chicken may closely resemble traditional meat.

Unlike previous methods that produced small meat fragments assembled into larger products, this technique grows a single coherent slab of meat, enhancing its natural structure and texture.

Although the meat is not yet made with food-grade materials and has not been tasted, the research team is actively discussing further development with industry partners.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain for commercialization, particularly the need to remove non-edible hollow fibers and ensure the use of food-safe materials.

Mark Post, chief science officer at Mosa Meat, praised this model as an extraordinary engineering achievement, highlighting its potential to revolutionize cultured meat production.

Takeuchi emphasizes that while cultured meat presents a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional meat, replicating the texture and taste remains a significant challenge.

Researching cultured meat not only aims to provide sustainable food sources but also enhances our understanding of animal tissues, which could lead to advancements in regenerative medicine.