Lab-grown protein inspired by Yellowstone microbes

CHICAGO — A NASA-funded start-up is using fermentation technology to create lab-grown protein.

Eating meat is killing our environment, but getting everyone to give it up is kind of like mission impossible. This is why alt-meat start-ups have come up with all kinds of ways to create an alternative source of protein that doesn't involve exploiting the land for farming and livestock.

According to Bloomberg, biotech start-up Sustainable Bioproducts is trying to replicate behavior from volcanic microbes found in hot springs at Yellowstone National Park to create lab-grown protein.

The company has been able to grow protein using fermentation technology. Researchers feed starch and glycerin to the high-protein microbes, which react by multiplying quickly.

The resulting protein contains nine key amino acids that are essential for the human diet. The substance can be used to create a meat-like product, mixed to make yogurt or shaped into a plant-based burger patty.

According to Food Dive, the NASA-funded company recently received $33 million dollars in Series A funding. Investors include Microsoft's Bill Gates, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Bloomberg's Michael Bloomberg and Virgin Group's Richard Branson.