Cultivated meat has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of conventional meat production. However, the high cost of culture media remains a major obstacle to large-scale implementation. Researchers have now developed a detailed computer model of pig cell metabolism that could help reduce these costs by designing more efficient culture media.
The model, called iSSC2487, is a genome-scale metabolic model of Sus scrofa (pig) cells. Rather than relying on trial and error, it enables scientists to predict how cells consume nutrients, generate energy and produce metabolic by-products during cultivation.
To validate the model, the researchers compared its predictions with data from 40-litre fed-batch bioreactor runs using porcine embryonic stem cells. The model accurately reproduced cell growth as well as the uptake of nutrients and the secretion of metabolites, demonstrating that it closely reflects the behaviour of cells in a real bioprocess.
Change of metabolism
The simulations also showed that pig cells change their metabolism as they grow. During the rapid growth phase, the cells consume large amounts of glutamine and convert part of it into by-products such as alanine, glutamate and aspartate. As growth slows, the production of these by-products decreases. Understanding these metabolic shifts can help bioprocess engineers optimize feeding strategies and improve process efficiency.
Reduction of costs
One of the most promising findings is the potential to reduce media costs. Using the model, the researchers identified a minimal formulation containing just 27 essential nutrients. They estimate that this medium could be produced for around USD 10 per litre, while further mathematical optimization lowered the predicted cost to USD 6.50 per litre—a reduction of approximately 35%.
Although these optimized media formulations still require experimental validation, the model provides a valuable platform for future process development. It could support media optimization, bioprocess design and the integration of omics data, helping cultivated meat producers develop more efficient and economically viable manufacturing processes.
Bron: Science Direct