FAQ

PRISM-LT’s bioink incorporates engineered helper microorganisms (bacteria or yeast) designed to produce essential growth factors directly within the bioprinted tissue. These microorganisms play a temporary controlled role, guiding stem cells as they differentiate into functional tissues such as muscle or fat.
This approach leverages on the natural tissue development, where cells interact with their microenvironment to coordinate growth and organization. Thanks to the engineered microorganisms, the differentiation process in PRISM-LT platform can be established without the need for continuous external interventions.

PRISM-LT aims to ensure the safety of genetically modified microorganisms through strict adherence to international safety standards and regulatory frameworks. For example, the use of genetically modified microorganisms in food is closely monitored and regulated by food safety authorities, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which requires thorough risk assessments before any product can reach the market.

Our bacteria are based on non-pathogenic strains and, additionally, the PRISM-LT platform plans to incorporate a controlled mechanism where helper microorganisms remain active only for a limited time during tissue development. The built-in switch mechanism should reduce the risk of unwanted proliferation and contamination.

Thus, the microorganisms that will be used in the process will be carefully selected and engineered to perform specific functions, such as producing growth factors, without posing any risks to human health.

PRISM-LT production process for cultured meat foresees the use of yeast as helper microorganism (not bacteria) and the yeast may be still present in the final product—eventually not in a live, active form.

Some of the food we commonly consume contains bacteria or yeast, as in some cases, they are part of its functional or nutritional profile. Products like yogurt, sourdough bread, beer, and certain cheeses already contain live or inactivated microorganisms, and they are widely accepted. Furthermore, during the cooking process as the temperature rises, the microorganisms eventually die.

In the production process envisioned by PRISM-LT the helper microorganisms are planned to remain active only during a limited time window and react only to the early hints from stem cells that have started differentiation. As we are still in the development phase of technology, the full details of this mechanism are not yet fully established, but the final product will probably contain only the inactivated microorganisms.

Furthermore, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other regulatory bodies have stringent safety requirements for food production. Strains used as food additives must be approved and meet safety standards, such as being classified as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS). Thus, in general the specific strains of microorganisms used in food production are selected to ensure they are non-pathogenic and safe for consumption.

PRISM-LT is still in its developing phase thus the exact final production process is not yet finalized; however, regulatory bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) impose rigorous testing and approval processes to ensure that bioprinted foods are safe for consumption.

The materials used in bioprinting, including bio-inks, stem cells, and helper microorganisms, will be carefully selected and prepared under strict quality control measures to ensure they are free from harmful pathogens.

While bioprinting introduces new potential risks, these can be managed through rigorous controls, monitoring, and adherence to safety standards. When implemented correctly, bioprinted food products can be as safe—or even safer—than conventionally produced foods. For example, cultured meat avoids risks associated with slaughter, such as contamination with intestinal pathogens like Salmonella or E. coli; and the absence of antibiotics reduces the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In PRISM-LT, we recognize the importance of balancing innovation with ethical considerations, accessibility, and fairness in the market. While patenting plays a role in protecting intellectual property and fostering investment in research and development, it does not inherently lead to monopolization. Instead, it can serve as a tool to ensure that groundbreaking discoveries are effectively transformed into viable products, reaching the market in a sustainable and impactful way.

Our team is currently working on an exploitation strategy to determine the best approach to bring this technology to market. Without patent protections, there is a risk that PRISM-LT’s outcomes might remain confined to academic settings and fail to make the transition into impactful products.

Furthermore, as a publicly funded project supported by the European Commission, PRISM-LT adheres to principles of ethical research, open science, and fair access. In alignment with these values, some findings from the project may be published in open-access formats or made available in non-patented forms. By doing so, we aim to broaden access to our work, encourage collaboration within the field.

PRISM-LT aligns with the 3Rs principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine), an internationally recognized framework for more ethical animal research.

In the long term, PRISM-LT’s technology has the potential to reduce the reliance on animal experiments by providing engineered living tissues that can serve as more accurate and reproducible models for preclinical research.

The ability to bioprint structured, functional tissues could help replace some forms of animal testing, particularly in drug discovery, toxicology studies, and disease modeling. For more information on the current efforts for alternatives to animal testing in Europe please refer to the FAQ from the EURL ECVAM

The sustainability of cultured meat, including products developed through projects like PRISM-LT, depends on various factors, including the production process, resource inputs, and energy efficiency. While cultured meat has significant potential to be more sustainable than conventional meat (e.g. reduced feed crop cultivation and livestock farming), challenges remain that could impact its environmental footprint.

In the PRISM-LT project, we are committed to ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of cultivated meat production.
As we are currently in the development phase, it is not possible to provide precise estimations of the advantages in terms of environmental impact or resource efficiency. However, our mission is firmly rooted in creating a positive impact on food systems, prioritizing sustainability, and accessibility over profit.
In the future we might consider conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental and resource impacts of our approach e.g., via a life cycle assessment. These analyses will provide a clear understanding of the sustainability benefits as the technology matures.