Josh Flack

Josh Flack is an Assistant Professor in the Bioprocess Engineering section of the Biotechnology Department at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). He leads the Cellular Engineering research group focused on advancing cellular agriculture technologies, particularly in the field of cultivated meat production.

Dr. Flack's educational background includes BA and MSc degrees in Biochemistry and a PhD in Cell Biology from Cambridge University. Prior to joining TU Delft in May 2024, he spent five years as Head of Cell Biology at Mosa Meat, a pioneering cultivated meat startup.

His research focuses on introducing new and improved phenotypes into mammalian cells for biotechnology applications using gene editing and genetic modification techniques. The Cellular Engineering group aims to enhance cellular traits for industrial-scale cultivated meat bioprocesses through cell line engineering. Figure 1 from his group illustrates an array of desirable cellular phenotypes for cultivated meat production, showing how cell line engineering can confer diverse phenotypes relevant for industrial-scale processes.

Dr. Flack founded ACCELLERA (the Association for CellAg Cell Line Engineering Research Advancement), a research association dedicated to knowledge sharing and networking for academic and industry researchers working on Cell Line Engineering projects for Cellular Agriculture applications.

• Current Research Group:
  • Joana Pimenta (PhD Student)
  • Jordy Elfering (MEP Student)
  • Jeroen Schmidt (Technician)

His recent publications show a clear trend toward cellular agriculture applications, with particular emphasis on cultivated meat production techniques, skeletal muscle engineering, and cell line optimization. Earlier work focused on Wnt signaling pathways demonstrates his foundational expertise in cell biology that informs his current applied research.