Food Biomanufacturing & Cellular Agriculture Conference 2026
Earth Precision Agriculture
August 10-14, 2026, Calgary, Canada
Accelerating food biomanufacturing and cellular agriculture through integrated research in synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, precision bioprocessing, and regulatory and market innovation
About the Food Biomanufacturing & Cellular Agriculture Conference Track
The Food Biomanufacturing & Cellular Agriculture Conference 2026 will convene global experts to explore how biotechnology is transforming the future of food production.
As the global population grows and environmental pressures mount, the definition of “agriculture” is expanding beyond the field and into the bioreactor. The Food Biomanufacturing and Cellular Agriculture Conference track at EPA 2026 explores the convergence of precision agriculture with advanced biotechnology. This special track provides a dedicated platform for researchers, engineers, and industry leaders to examine how precision principles, such as data-driven optimization, biological engineering, and resource efficiency, are being applied to cultivate meat, seafood, and functional ingredients directly from animal, insect, and plant cells and microorganisms.
The Food Biomanufacturing and Cellular Agriculture Conference aims to bridge the gap between field-based precision agriculture and lab-based cellular agriculture, fostering a unified approach to sustainable global food security.
Key Research Themes in Food Biomanufacturing & Cellular Agriculture Conference
We invite submissions exploring the frontiers of food biomanufacturing, including but not limited to the following themes:
Foundational Science & Engineering of Cellular Production
This theme welcomes contributions that advance our fundamental understanding of the biological, chemical, and engineering principles underlying cellular agriculture and food biomanufacturing.
- Cell Biology and Engineering: Cell line development, characterization, and optimization for mammalian, avian, aquatic, and insect species; stem cell biology; genetic engineering approaches
- Scaffolding and Structure: Novel biomaterials for tissue engineering; 3D printing and bioprinting; scaffold-free approaches; structural organization of cultivated products
- Media and Nutrition: Serum-free media formulation; growth factor optimization; cost reduction strategies; nutrient delivery systems
- Plant-Based Science: Protein functionality and extraction; ingredient interactions; texturization mechanisms; flavor and color chemistry
- Microbial Systems: Mycoprotein biology; algal cultivation; microbial biomass optimization; metabolic engineering for food applications
- Sensory Science: Flavor chemistry; texture analysis; consumer perception; analytical methods for product characterization
Enabling Technologies and Automation
The translation of laboratory discoveries into commercial products depends critically on enabling technologies that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure quality. This theme highlights the transformative role of artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced bioprocessing in food biomanufacturing, areas that represent significant opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
- Precision Fermentation: Microbial production of proteins, fats, enzymes, and other food ingredients; strain engineering; process optimization
- Bioprocess Engineering: Bioreactor design and scale-up; process monitoring and control; continuous manufacturing; upstream and downstream processing
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Predictive modeling; process optimization; quality control; computer vision for monitoring; automated experiment design
- Automation and Robotics: Automated cell culture; robotic sample handling; high-throughput screening; smart manufacturing systems
- Digital Technologies: Digital twins for bioprocess simulation; Internet of Things (IoT) integration; data management and analytics platforms
- Downstream Processing: Purification technologies; formulation science; product stabilization; packaging innovations
Scaling, Commercialization, and Consumer Acceptance
The path from laboratory proof-of-concept to commercial product involves navigating complex technical, economic, and market challenges. This theme addresses the practical realities of bringing food biomanufacturing products to market, including facility design, supply chain development, consumer insights, and business model innovation.
- Techno-Economic Analysis: Cost modeling; economic feasibility studies; sensitivity analysis; comparative economics with conventional production
- Facility Development: Plant design and engineering; equipment selection; utilities and infrastructure; GMP considerations
- Supply Chain and Logistics: Raw material sourcing; supplier development; distribution networks; cold chain management
- Consumer Research: Consumer acceptance studies; sensory evaluation; market segmentation; behavioral insights
- Food Safety and Quality: HACCP implementation; quality assurance systems; shelf-life studies; microbiological safety
- Business and Investment: Startup showcase; investor perspectives; partnership models; market entry strategies
Sustainability, Policy, and Social Dimensions
Food biomanufacturing exists within broader social, political, and environmental contexts that shape its development and impact. This theme explores the sustainability implications of these technologies, the regulatory frameworks governing their deployment, and the ethical and social considerations that must inform responsible innovation.
- Techno-Economic Analysis: Cost modeling; economic feasibility studies; sensitivity analysis; comparative economics with conventional production
- Facility Development: Plant design and engineering; equipment selection; utilities and infrastructure; GMP considerations
- Supply Chain and Logistics: Raw material sourcing; supplier development; distribution networks; cold chain management
- Consumer Research: Consumer acceptance studies; sensory evaluation; market segmentation; behavioral insights
- Food Safety and Quality: HACCP implementation; quality assurance systems; shelf-life studies; microbiological safety
- Business and Investment: Startup showcase; investor perspectives; partnership models; market entry strategies

Dr. Reza Ovissipour
Assistant Professor in Food Biomanufacturing and Cellular Agriculture
Department of Food Science and Technology
Texas A&M University

Dr. Ning Xiang
Assistant Professor
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
University of Alberta

Dr. Mian N. Riaz
Associate Professor and Associate Department Head
Director, Extrusion Technology Program
Department of Food Science and Technology
Texas A&M University

Dr. Mohammad Zarei
Assistant Professor in Food Science and Bioprocessing
Department of Nutrition and Food Science
Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Dr. Elliot Swartz
Senior Scientist
Cultivated Meat
The Good Food Institute (GFI)

Dr. Chandra B. Singh
Director
Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Advanced Post-Harvest Technology Centre
Lethbridge Polytech

Dr. Farhad Maleki
Director
Centre for Precision Agriculture and Sustainability
University of Calgary