Plant-based – the future? What do researchers think about meat substitutes.
Wissens Bissen
- Date: Apr 29, 2026
- Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
- Speaker: Prof. Gunther Hirschfelder, Prof. Thomas Vilgis
- Prof. Hirschfelder teaches Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Regensburg; Prof. Vilgis is a physicist and leads the working group on analytical theory of soft matter
- Location: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
- Room: Seminar room 1.009
- Host: MPI-P / AK Landfester
- Contact: schneideru@mpip-mainz.mpg.de
- Region: Rhineland-Palatinate
- Topic: Discussion and debate formats, lectures
As part of the ‘Wissens Bissen’ series, Prof. Gunther Hirschfelder and Prof. Thomas Vilgis will discuss a highly topical issue: How should the food trend of veganism be understood? How is it embedded in society and culture? Does lab-grown meat have a viable future, and what happens at the molecular level with plant-based proteins?
The two scientists will addressthese and other questions in a talk – on an equal level with the audience.After the talk, there will be an opportunity to ask the researchers questionsand engage in dialogue. As part of a get-together with water and wine, therewill also be a blind tasting: how do meat substitutes differ from real meat –in terms of taste and texture?
5.00 pm: Appetisers – short guided tours of the Polymer Path
6.00 pm: Talk followed by a discussion
7.30 pm: Get-together with blind tasting – accompanied by water & wine