Welcome back to Arta’s blog!
In our first post, we explored why Omics technologies are potential game-changers in cultured meat science and production. Touching on the incredibly hard problems of countless variety that the cultured meat industry is currently solving, and the applications of Omics to try to help. As well, we outlined the significant hurdle of the biological knowledge gap that we currently face in the industry, with well over 10x more publications on mouse biology than cow and sheep. The power of Omics to plug this knowledge gap quickly is very apparent, but we now need to help scientists in the industry understand how to leverage these tools to solve their unique cultured meat challenges.
Today, we dig deeper into exactly how these tools can be used to level-up cultured meat production at each step along the pipeline. Though we will go into more depth, this post still won’t scratch the surface of the potential applications of Omics to cultured meat production, but hopefully will help position these technologies as critical to the process.
Figure 1. Generic cultured meat process, taken from a previous article.
Omics technologies offer us a deep understanding of biological systems, crucial for tackling challenges in cultured meat science. But exactly where and how these tools can fit into your process can sometimes be difficult to grasp, so the below sections outline where Omics can be used in the cultured meat science and regulation pipeline, and what can you expect to gain from their use.
This section explores the practical applications of omics technologies in cultured meat science, focusing on their role in various stages of the production pipeline, outlined in Figure 1.
Media development and optimisation
The development and optimisation of growth media are critical for cultured meat production. By leveraging genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, you can identify the optimal combination of nutrients and conditions that promote efficient cell growth. This isn't just about growth rate; it's about creating a sustainable and cost-effective medium.
Cell-line development
The selection and engineering of appropriate cell lines is crucial for cultured meat. Here, many Omics tools can provide insights into the genetic makeup, optimisation conditions and protein expression profiles of different cell lines, guiding the selection and engineering process.
Bioprocess optimisation
Optimising bioprocess is essential for scale-up and commercialisation of cultured meat products. Omics data can play a major role in fine-tuning bioreactors and other aspects of the production process to ensure consistency and efficiency.
Nutritional content
Last but not least, in the scientific realm, metabolomics and proteomics can offer significant benefits in understanding and modifying the nutritional content of cultured meat products.
Applications in Regulatory Compliance - Supporting the submission
In this section, we examine potential applications of omics technologies in supporting regulatory compliance for cultured meat products. It's important to note that these applications are suggestive and not mandated by regulatory bodies. They serve as examples of how Omics can potentially aid in meeting regulatory standards and facilitating the approval process.
Genetic Stability
Genetic stability is a cornerstone of cultured meat production, ensuring the safety and consistency of the product over time. Omics technologies play a crucial role in monitoring and maintaining this stability.
Input Safety
The safety of the inputs, including growth media components and cell lines, is essential for regulatory approval and consumer confidence.
Bioprocess Safety
Ensuring the safety of the bioprocessing environment is crucial for preventing contamination and ensuring the integrity of cultured meat.
Nutritional Content and Breakdown
Verifying the nutritional content of cultured meat is critical for market acceptance and compliance with labelling standards.
Figure 2. Areas in the cultured meat pipeline where Omics tools can be used
In this exploration of omics technologies in cultured meat production, we have highlighted their significant yet practical roles. From enhancing media development to ensuring regulatory compliance, these tools offer tangible solutions to complex problems in cultured meat science. The potential of omics is vast, but its application is grounded in real-world challenges and objectives.
At Arta Bioanalytics, we're committed to leveraging these technologies to address the specific needs of the cultured meat industry. As this field continues to evolve, so too will the relevance and applications of omics. Keep following our blog for ongoing discussions and updates on the integration of omics in cellular agriculture.
And get in touch with me at alex@artabioanalytics.com if you’re interested in further exploring the opportunities of Omics in CellAg!