On May 27, the first session of the “Top 10 Technical Challenges in Neo-Protein” online seminar series, jointly organized by ProVeg China and Jiangnan University, was successfully held, focusing on microbial protein and attracting nearly 4,100 participants.
The series builds on the 2025 Top 10 Technical Challenges in Neo-Protein Blue Paper, jointly released by the Neo-Protein Professional Committee of the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) and ProVeg China. The report systematically maps key technical bottlenecks constraining sector development and provides guidance for research and industrial innovation. The seminar series aims to inspire researchers to develop a deeper understanding of the ten key technical challenges and to foster further innovation.
The first session covered Technical Challenges No. 5–10 and featured three leading experts:
- Wang Qinhong, Researcher, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Deputy Secretary General, Neo-Protein Professional Committee of CIFST
- Hu Huiping, Deputy Director, Edible Fungi R&D Center, Guangdong Academy of Sciences
- Liu Xiao, Associate Researcher, Jiangnan University
Moderated by Nicole Wu, Executive Director of ProVeg China, the discussion centered on the development status, key bottlenecks, and breakthrough pathways for microbial protein, including the construction of high-quality strain libraries, precision design of chassis cells, enhancement of protein biosynthesis efficiency, and optimization of processing adaptability and nutritional properties.
Post-event feedback indicated strong engagement, with participants noting that the session provided valuable perspectives for research design and deepened their understanding of critical challenges in the neo-protein field.
The second and third sessions of the series are scheduled for June and July.
