Hecht Sustainable Protein Research Center (HSPRC)

The Hecht Sustainable Protein Research Center at the Technion is the first academic hub in the world dedicated to state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research and development of sustainable protein alternatives. Technological innovation is the key enabler for the alternative protein industry, and existing challenges must be overcome through intensive research. HSPRC’s goal is to promote and accelerate the essential R&D process. The Technion is home to dozens of leading experts whose research is relevant to developing alternative proteins. To date, approximately 40 Technion researchers from 13 of the university’s faculties have joined the new Hecht Sustainable Protein Research Center, and they will collaborate on advanced multidisciplinary research projects.

HSPRC’s Vision

The Hecht Sustainable Protein Research Center is a world-class multidisciplinary research center in sustainable protein that functions as a global hub for basic and applied research, commercialization and entrepreneurship. The Center boosts cutting-edge research, attracts excellent new faculty members and students, and serves as a state-of-the-art hub offering the most advanced research facilities. The ultimate goal is to provide the scientific knowledge and technological solutions to enable the industrial development of tasty commercial products at competitive prices by addressing fundamental challenges through advanced research and development.

HSPRC’s Mission

HSPRC supports and facilitates research focusing on cutting-edge fields and their confluence, including:

Stem cell and tissue engineering

Precision fermentation

Plant protein extraction and texturization

Computational biology

3D bioprinting

Food processing

Nutrition

Consumer science

Artificial intelligence and data-science tools to promote the field

Computerization, sensors and process control facilitating SP production

HSPRC attracts talented new faculty members and provides exceptional training opportunities to young researchers from Israel and around the world. It also serves as an international knowledge hub, initiating conferences and spurring collaborations within the SP world, particularly with other relevant research centers around the world. HSPRC taps into the Technion’s institutional platforms for encouraging entrepreneurship and driving commercialization, taking advantage of the university’s deep commitment to translating promising breakthroughs developed on campus into real-world commercial products that can actively benefit humanity.