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Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State

Working together for a sustainable global food system

The mission of the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein is to advance scientific innovation, workforce development, and public awareness in the biomanufacturing of plant-based, cell-cultivated, and fermentation-derived alternative proteins.

Through collaboration with industry, academia, government, nonprofits, and community stakeholders, the Center aims to help build a resilient and sustainable agri-food system for future generations.

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Three Pillars

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Outreach + Engagement

The center leads and contributes to various scientific and public community outreach and engagement efforts with sustainable protein stakeholders toward increasing awareness and market adoption of sustainable protein foods.
A large group of approximately 25 young adults, a mix of men and women of various ethnicities, are posed for a photo indoors, at an industrial facility. Everyone in the group is wearing light blue disposable lab coats (or gowns), hair nets, safety glasses, and some are wearing hard hats, indicating a cleanroom or lab environment. They are standing or kneeling in two rows in front of a pale green wall, which is decorated with a large, circular art piece made of moss or similar green material, shaped like plant cell structures or interlocking biological shapes. The setting appears modern and well-lit.

Workforce Development

The center focuses on the development of strategic programs and activities to train students of all levels and professionals – from high school and community college to graduate school and industry – in advanced sustainable food technologies.
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Research + Innovation

The center seeks to transform biomanufacturing science and technology through multidisciplinary advances in materials, processes, and systems, to accelerate the lab-to-table translation of sustainable protein foods.

Why diversify our agri-food system?

Increasing Demand

By 2050, global demand for animal protein will increase by 52%.

Limited Resources

With half of the world’s habitable land already used for agriculture—most of it for livestock—meeting future food demand will require new innovations.

Environmental Impact

Agriculture accounted for 11% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.

A close-up, high-tech photograph of complex, industrial bioreactor equipment in a lab. The equipment is made of numerous interconnected stainless steel tanks and vessels, crisscrossed with white tubes, pipes, and various gauges and valves. The primary apparatus, is sharp and in focus, while other equipment in the foreground and background is intentionally blurred to emphasize the dense, intricate machinery.

Recent updates:

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Michelle Schroeder-Moreno: Growing a New Workforce

Focused on sustainability, NC State leader Michelle Schroeder-Moreno drives the Bezos Center’s efforts on workforce development.

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Tim Martin: Supporting Innovation

An expert in innovation, NC State’s Tim Martin supports the Bezos Center by helping students and faculty bring great research to market.

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SPURS Advances Students

The Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein’s SPURS program offers hands-on research in sustainable proteins, industry mentorship, and professional development.