Tufts University in Massachusetts, US, is set to convene industry leaders and researchers for its third annual Cellular Agriculture Innovation Day, an event aimed at exploring advancements in cellular agriculture.

Scheduled for January 9 and 10 2025, at the Joyce Cummings Center, the event will address pressing challenges and emerging trends within the evolving landscape of food production.

As cellular agriculture continues to gain traction, experts from start-ups, established companies, government bodies and academia will gather to discuss the latest research and policies influencing the sector.

David Kaplan, Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering and director of the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture (TUCCA), said: “The event has become a turning point each year that leaders in the space look forward to. The research, developments and implications discussed at this year’s event will be crucial for the continued advancement of the industry.”

Tufts University has positioned itself as a pivotal player in cellular agriculture, particularly since being designated as the home of the National Institute for Cellular Agriculture by the USDA in 2021. The university’s focus on fostering collaboration among academia, industry and investors is expected to yield significant insights into the current state and future direction of cellular agriculture.

This year's Innovation Day will tackle several key topics, including the industry's evolution amid a shifting political landscape, challenges in scaling production, and strategies for accelerating the translation of research into market-ready products.

“Tufts is proud to call cellular agriculture one of our areas of research excellence,” said Caroline Genco, Tufts provost and senior vice president. “We are thrilled to once again convene the top leaders in the field to discuss the next steps in building cellular agriculture into a major industry.”

The event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including:

David Kaplan, Tufts University

Nicole Tichenor Blackstone, Tufts University

Lily Fitzgerald, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

Bruce Friedrich, Good Food Institute

Johannes Fruehauf, Biolabs and LabCentral

Mike Messersmith, Tender Food

Natalie Rubio and Andrew Stout, Deco Labs

Steve Simitzis, Solvable Syndicate

Steven Finn, Siddhi Capital

This invitation-only event underscores the growing significance of cellular agriculture in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. As the industry grapples with sustainability and innovation, discussions at this gathering are anticipated to shape future strategies and collaborations.

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