Exploring the potential of algal-derived (chromo)peptides as serum replacement components for meat cultivation

Project acronym:   Pep4Meat

Project type:   PROMIS

Grant agreement No.:   HF-234

Project Web site:   https://pep4meat.com/

Project is funded by:   Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia (Belgrade, Serbia)

Instituions where the research is conducted:

• University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry (Belgrade, Serbia) – Coordination
• Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (Belgrade, Serbia) – Beneficiary
• Institut za onkologiju i radiologiju Srbije (Belgrade, Serbia) – Beneficiary
• Innovation center of the Faculty of Chemisty in Belgrade (Belgrade, Serbia) – Beneficiary

Project realization is scheduled from January 3, 2024 till January 2, 2026.

Project staff

Short description of the project

Cultured meat (CM) is a promising solution to reduce land and water usage and limit pollution, but it is still costly. The main obstacle is finding alternatives to fetal bovine serum (FBS) as growth supplements. Peptides obtained from protein hydrolysis from various sources are a viable but unexplored alternative to FBS. Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are abundant algal proteins with unique covalently attached tetrapyrrole chromophores. PBPs digestion releases chromopeptides with much stronger bioactive properties than regular peptides, giving them a strong potential to replace FBS in cell media. The overall aim of this project is to develop the platform for selecting PBP-based hydrolysates as media components in meat cultivation. We will approach the general objective from three specific aims: 1. Development of algal-based hydrolysates with the general FBS-replacement potential; 2. Selection of chromopeptides with the high Fe³⁺ binding affinity for the specific transferrin replacement; 3. Development of algal polysaccharide: chromopeptide scaffolds as a 3D platform for meat cultivation. To increase the project's success chances, a multidisciplinary set of state-of-the-art methods will be applied, from molecular dynamics/docking, via protein/peptide biochemistry and biophysics to cell biology and tissue engineering studies. Our original comprehensive platform for selecting chromopeptides with a high propensity towards replacing FBS in cell media is a cutting-edge approach to developing non-animal-based media for CM production. We will combine the strong bioactive properties of non-peptidic molecules with the diversity of peptide sequences around the bioactive molecule's binding site, bringing peptide research to the next level and strengthening their CM-related application. The project results should give a strong base for developing cheap cell media for eco-friendly CM production, impacting the industry, environment, society and the scientific community.