Biology on Khan Academy. We're making plant-based cheese and are experimenting with enzymes to make better and new varieties of cheese. We already have one Ricotta-style cheese (fresh cheeses you often make with acids, so that works well with soy protein, too). Our hypothesis is that there must be enzymes that works similarly with plant proteins as chymosin (part of rennet used in cheese making) works with casein. So…
this sounds really interesting. i am personally very passionate about this space (reducing the impacts of factory farming due to unethical treatment of animals), but as a systems engineer (with degree in mechanical/electrical/software) i don’t really have the Bio background to get more involved. did you find that to be a hindrance for yourself?
I wouldn't say hindrance, but it would probably be a bit easier if I had a biochemistry or food engineering/science background.
My partner has an environmental science background, so that helps a bit and she is the one doing most of the experimenting.
But in the end, it's about trial and error. That's also what an expert would need to do. I think if you're interested enough in the topic it's possible to acquire the necessary knowledge.
We plan to hire experts later on once we have the cash to do so (we're not raising money, all bootstrapped).