Dr. Gilad Gomé
Gilad Gomé, Ph.D. is a biotechnology researcher and entrepreneur specializing in scalable biomanufacturing technologies. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he integrates synthetic biology, macrofluidics, and stem cell engineering to develop next-generation platforms for regenerative medicine.
He completed his doctoral studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he pioneered novel bioreactor systems and scaffold technologies for tissue engineering and cellular agriculture. During that period, he also served as biologist-in-residence at the Media Innovation Lab (miLAB) at Reichman University.
Gilad’s innovations in plant-based scaffolds and single-use macrofluidic bioreactors have positioned him as a leading voice in cellular agriculture. His 2024 publication on cultivating bovine lipid chunks on Aloe vera scaffolds drew widespread attention for its potential to reduce costs and improve sustainability in cultured meat. The study demonstrated how agricultural waste can be transformed into porous, biocompatible scaffolds that support mesenchymal stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and lipid accumulation — enhancing both the texture and flavor of lab-grown meat.
A recipient of the prestigious Ramon Foundation Breakthrough Prize, Gilad attended Singularity University in 2013, where he contributed to the development of the Miriam open-source cancer testing system and reagents. This collaboration led to the founding of Miroculus, a startup focused on non-invasive cancer diagnostics using automated genomic protocols. Miroculus was acquired by INTEGRA Biosciences in 2023. During the Zika outbreak in 2016, he launched an open-source rapid diagnostic initiative in Recife, Brazil, reinforcing his commitment to accessible, crisis-responsive health technologies.
His scientific journey began at Tel Aviv University, where his master’s research focused on bacteria capable of degrading plastics and oxidizing metals — an early sign of his commitment to sustainability and applied microbiology. After returning from Brazil, he joined miLAB, where he developed open-source biotechnology tools. His 2019 project, OpenLH, introduced a low-cost, programmable liquid-handling robot built from accessible components, enabling micro-scale biological experimentation in classrooms and labs worldwide. That same year, he created My First Biolab, a portable microbiology platform combining sterile fluidic chambers with web-based interfaces for safe, hands-on education.
Gilad’s doctoral work culminated in the design of a laser printed macrofluidic, single-use bioreactor system fabricated from food-grade thermoplastics and plant-derived scaffolds. This system enabled stem cell culture while addressing major challenges in scaling cultured meat production — particularly cost-efficiency, sterility, and design flexibility.
Throughout his career, Gilad has remained committed to open science, sustainability, and interdisciplinary innovation. His contributions to biofabrication, cultured meat, and educational biotechnology tools have helped democratize access to cutting-edge technologies. Now based at MIT, he is expanding his work from cells to tissue, with the long-term ambition of enabling full-organ regeneration.
Read OpenLH: Open Liquid-Handling System for Creative Experimentation with Biology, OpenLH Step-by-Step Guide, Cultivation of Bovine Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Plant-Based Scaffolds in a Macrofluidic Single-Use Bioreactor for Cultured Meat, My First Biolab: A System for Hands-On Biology Experiments, Design Principles for Laser-Printed Macrofluidics, Desert Power: Aloe Vera’s Role in Cultured Meat, SynBioBeta Profile: The Scientist-Entrepreneur, The Miroculus Story: From Startup to Acquisition, This Device Could Detect Dozens of Cancers With a Single Blood Test, and Detection of Zika Virus Rapidly Without the Need for a Laboratory in Brazil.
Connect with Gilad on LinkedIn or X and follow his research on ResearchGate for the latest updates on biotechnology innovation, cultured meat development, and educational initiatives. Visit the Media Innovation Lab (miLAB) at Reichman University to explore collaborative opportunities and learn more about human-bio interfaces research.