Bioelectronics for cultivated meat

Abstract

The present invention is directed to bioelectronic systems for monitoring, optimising, developing and / or controlling biological systems, especially cultivated meat products and methods for producing cultivated meat products. The measurement of electric current(s) passing through cells, tissues and / or areas surrounding the cells or tissues, including media, is used to estimate the number of cells and thus cell growth over time and can also be used to estimate the differentiation of cells which is the change of phenotype of cells, along with media composition, the presence of contaminants, viable cell density, and other characteristics of the cells, tissue and / or media that has been measured. Artificial intelligence, including machine learning algorithms may be used to analyze and process the data that has been measured. Additionally, an electrical stimulus can be used to promote cell growth, function, and / or differentiation.

Description

[0001]03661AAT11PCT1US    Bioelectronics for Cultivated Meat The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to US Provisional Application No.63 / 600,100 filed November 17, 2023, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION Disclosed herein are novel bioelectronic systems for monitoring biological systems, and developing, optimising and / or monitoring cultivated meat production, as well as their production methods. The field of the invention relates to the application of bioelectronics technologies for cultivated meat and the monitoring of biological systems. For example, it relates to the development, monitoring and / or optimization of cell growth and differentiation using bioelectronics data for the production and / or monitoring of cultivated meat or alternatively, for other biological systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cultivated meat, also known as in vitro, clean, synthetic, tissue engineered, cell-based, cell-craft and cultured meat is real meat made by growing cells under controlled conditions in a bioreactor rather than slaughtering animals. The 1st cultivated meat start-ups were established over 5 years ago and have raised hundreds of millions of dollars, but there still fail to exist commercially feasible and scalable cultivated meat production processes. Process design entails finding an optimal route to go from feedstock to cultivated meat product based on economic and quality objectives by selecting the various raw materials, equipment and conditions to use. Cultivated meat manufacturing processes offer a vast design space, which consists of the enormous range of values different process parameters can have. Some of the parameters that need to be optimized for cultivated meat production include: cell line, media composition, media flow-rate, temperature, media-change regimes, process times, etc. This presents a process design challenge because every combination of a large number of variables may lead to different outcomes. Furthermore, cell biology is complex and phenomena like cell-fate decisions are not well understood. An additional challenge is posed by the trade- offs between the optimization objectives; for instance, reducing costs by using a cheaper media may deteriorate food texture and taste. This multi-objective optimization requires the collection and processing of large amounts of biological data from the cells. There is a need for large-scale data collection and analysis to develop, monitor and inform cultivated meat production processes including computer aided processes for this large-scale data collection. 1    03661AAT11PCT1US    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the bioelectronic monitoring and optimization of cultivated meat and biological systems. This monitoring allows for one to ascertain at what stage of production the cultivated meat exists, including being able to ascertain a density or number of cells and the different phenotypes of cells that are present in the cultivated meat, in addition to the presence of contaminants or components and their amounts in the media. The present invention relates to products, compositions, processes, and methods that can be used to perform this bioelectric monitoring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.1A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Re) of cells (porcine) in suspension increasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.1B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of cells (porcine) in suspension decreasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.1C depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Re) of cells (porcine) in suspension increasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.1D depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of cells (porcine) in suspension decreasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.2A depicts cells (porcine) growing adherently on a bioelectronic device with generic electrodes over 3 days. Fig.2B depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Re) of the adherent cells (porcine) depicted in Fig, 2A increasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.2C depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of the adherent cells (porcine) depicted in Fig, 2A increasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.2D depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of the adherent cells (porcine) depicted in Fig, 2A decreasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.3A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (porcine) in suspension increasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.3B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of cells (porcine) in suspension decreasing with an increase in the number of cells. Fig.3C depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the calculated values of the real component of Impedance (Real) from bioelectronic measurements of cells. 2    03661AAT11PCT1US    Fig.3D depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the calculated values of the imaginary component of Impedance (Img) from bioelectronic measurements of porcine cells. Fig.4A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (lamb) decreasing as the cells undergo myogenic differentiation towards muscle over 5 days. Fig.4B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (lamb) increasing as the cells undergo myogenic differentiation towards muscle over 5 days. Fig.4C depicts the validation of the data depicted in Fig.4A and Fig.4B by confirming the myogenic differentiation of the cells measured after 5 days under muscle differentiation media. Fig.5A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (lamb) significantly higher for (lamb) cells that have not undergone myogenic differentiation (circles) under growth media. Fig.5B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (lamb), which is significantly lower for (lamb) cells that have not undergone myogenic differentiation. Fig.5C depicts the validation of the data depicted in Fig.5A and Fig.5B by confirming the myogenic differentiation of the cells. Fig.6A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (human) increasing as the cells undergo adipogenic differentiation towards fat (adipocytes) over 12 days. Fig.6B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (human) decreasing as the cells undergo adipogenic differentiation towards fat over 12 days. Fig.6C depicts the validation of the data depicted in Fig.6A and Fig.6B by confirming the adipogenic differentiation of the cells measured over 12 days. Fig.6D depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the values of Resistance of the cells (human) as they undergo adipogenic differentiation towards fat cells (adipocytes) over 12 days. Fig.7A depicts higher calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (porcine) that have undergone adipogenic differentiation towards fat cells (adipocytes) under different media. 3    03661AAT11PCT1US    Fig.7B depicts lower calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (porcine) that have undergone adipogenic differentiation towards fat cells (adipocytes) under different media conditions. Fig.7C depicts the validation of the data depicted in Fig.7A and Fig.7B by confirming the different extents of adipogenic differentiation of the cells measured under the 2 adipogenic differentiation media compositions. Fig.8A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of different media compositions from measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes. Fig.8b depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of different media compositions from measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes. Fig.9A depicts different designs of different, customized circular electrodes tested, which could be used as part of this invention. Fig.9B depicts the different sizes and dimensions of different, customized circular electrodes tested, which could be used as part of this invention. Fig.9C depicts the geometry and configuration of the electrodes used for the measurements depicted in Fig.3, Fig.5, and Fig.7. Fig.9D depicts an alternative geometry and configuration of various electrodes which could be used for this invention. Fig.9E depicts a 'probe' configuration of the bioelectronic device (electrodes) which can be used for the present invention. Fig.9F depicts the geometry of the electrodes used for the measurements depicted in Fig. 10, and a multi-well based configuration of this invention. Fig.10A depicts the measured or calculated values of capacitance, resistance, the real component of impedance (Real) and the imaginary component of impedance (Imaginary) of cells (porcine) for different numbers of cells (determined via manual cell counting) from measurements using the purpose-built, custom bioelectronic system (electrodes) depicted in Fig. 9C. Fig.10B depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the values of capacitance, resistance, the real component of impedance (Real) and the imaginary component of impedance (Imaginary) of cells (porcine) depicted in Fig.10A from the bioelectronic system. 4    03661AAT11PCT1US    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to bioelectronic systems for monitoring, optimising, developing and / or controlling biological systems. In an embodiment, the biological system relates to cultivated meat products and alternatively and / or additionally methods for producing and / or monitoring cultivated meat products. The measurement of electric current(s) passing through cells, tissues and / or areas surrounding the cells or tissues, including media, is used to estimate the number of cells and thus cell growth over times and can also be used to estimate the differentiation of cells which is the change of phenotype of cells. Electric current can also be used to measure media composition, the presence of contaminants, viable cell density, and other characteristics of the cells, tissue and / or media. Artificial intelligence, including machine learning algorithms may be used to analyze and process the data that has been measured. Additionally, an electrical stimulus can be used to promote cell growth, the cells’ function, and / or cell differentiation. Measuring the electronic properties of cells, tissues, media and / or samples containing cells across a wide range of current frequencies, including but not limited to Impedance, Permittivity, Capacitance, Resistance, Dielectric measurements, etc., is used to monitor the growth of cultivated meat cells and can be used to estimate cell type and monitor the generation of muscle and fat cells comprising cultivated meat. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique that can be used for this, which entails the perturbation of an electrochemical system (in this case cultivated meat cells in media), via the application of a sinusoidal signal (ac voltage or ac current) over a wide range of frequencies and the monitoring of the sinusoidal response (current or voltage, respectively) of the system toward the applied perturbation. This is used to determine properties like Resistance, Capacitance, Transconductance and Impedance properties of different components of the system, such as cells and media, which correlate to key cultivated meat performance indicator such as number of cells, cell viability and cell type. Thus, cultivated meat production process as well as the performance of different ingredients or technologies used to produce cultivated meat, such as cell line and media composition, can be monitored in real-time in a non-invasive, inexpensive manner. Standard curves and Artificial Intelligence, including Machine Learning algorithms, can be used to process and analyze one or more electronic properties that have been measured to estimate the biological properties of the cells, tissue and / or media. Electrodes of such bioelectronic systems can also be used to apply an electrical stimulus that can be used to promote cell growth, cell function, and / or cell differentiation. Thus, in an embodiment, the same bioelectronic system mainly comprising of a set of electrodes can be used for both monitoring as well as controlling the cells, tissue and / or media of a biological system, such as a cultivated meat production system. 5    03661AAT11PCT1US    In one embodiment of the invention, such electronic monitoring systems are applied to small-scale models, in vitro models, and / or development systems, such as bench-top bioreactors, microfluidic models, multi-well plates and high-throughput screening systems, used for developing cultivated meat production processes as the different combinations of various conditions, technologies and ingredients or raw materials, such as cell lines, pH, temperature, media, scaffolds, microcarriers, bioreactor designs, etc., can be tested and then screened for comparison and optimisation by choosing the right options by monitoring the performance of these combinations of conditions, technologies, and / or raw materials (ingredients) using the electronic monitoring system(s), and basing bioprocess decisions and screening options based on the data from the electronic monitoring system(s) for each sample. In one embodiment of the invention, such electronic monitoring systems are applied to commercial cultivated meat productions systems to monitor production, including possibly in real time. The estimates of cell numbers, viability and type, and thus cultivated meat produced can be used for performance monitoring, quality control, and also potentially to control the production process in real-time by adjusting conditions such as temperature, shear, etc. or adding / changing media, or possibly ending production batches, or making any other change to the production process based on the data provided by the monitoring system, thereby resulting in a real-time control system and feedback loop for optimal, highly-controlled cultivated meat production. Such a system may also be used to finely control the composition of the meat produced such as nutritional contents (like percentage of muscle / protein or fat). In one embodiment of the invention, currents are applied to the cells or tissues in order to stimulate them and thus generate cultivated meat. These currents may be applied using conducting scaffolds (including hydrogels) and / or concentric ring electrodes as described above, or alternatively any other electrodes. In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic monitoring systems are used to monitor the growth, viability and type of cells of in vitro models of human organs (or organ-on- a-chip systems) that are exposed to cultivated meat or other novel foods, in order to carry out safety and toxicology testing of the cultivated meat or novel food by monitoring the impact of the meat or other novel food on the cells of the in vitro model (or organ-on-chip system) using the electronic monitoring system, thereby revealing potential safety, toxicology and other effects the cultivated meat or novel food may have on the cells and health of the humans or animal consuming them through an in vitro model monitored by such an electronic system. These electronic monitoring systems may be comprised of conducting scaffolds (including hydrogels) and / or concentric ring electrodes as described above, or alternatively any other electrodes. 6    03661AAT11PCT1US    In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic system is made up of 1 or more poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes or electrodes coated with PEDOT:PSS, for example- PEDOT:PSS coated electrodes made using lithography or with Parylene C (PaC) encapsulation on glass slide substrates made by making use of the PaC peel-off patterning technique for defining the PEDOT:PSS features. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the electrodes used for electronic monitoring are a conducting scaffold (including hydrogel(s)), which is a biomaterial that not only provides an architecture, structure, substrate or support for cells to attach to and grow on / in but also has a high conductivity. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the scaffolding is capable of acting as an electrode for carrying out electronic monitoring or measurements such as EIS. In one variation, the conducting scaffolds may be comprised of freeze-dried, 3D-printed or electrospun conducting polymers like PEDOT:PSS, or of conducting hydrogels. Conducting polymers, such as PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate, are organic electronic materials with many benefits for interfacing with soft tissues. They are biocompatible as they can be used in direct or close proximity to living tissues without any added protection, and can be processed in liquid formulations, thereby enabling the tuning of mechanical properties and / or the addition of biological components like collagen to match tissue. Such a close connection between the biological and electronic components facilitates enhanced signal transduction. Therefore, the integration of organic conducting polymers like PEDOT:PSS as interfacial materials can be used for the real-time monitoring of cells, including for cultivated meat. Scaffolds, including hydrogels, may be used as electrodes for bioelectronic systems if they are made up of conducting materials, including conducting polymers. In this way, the scaffolds, including hydrogels, may not only serve as electrodes and bioelectronic devices, but also provide spatial configuration, 3D architecture, and a support structure for cells to attach to, function and potentially form tissue as well as provide biochemical and mechanical cues for the cells to function, grow, differentiate, etc. Electrodes for bioelectronics systems may be integrated into scaffolds, including hydrogels, that provide spatial configuration, 3D architecture, and a support structure for cells to attach to, function and potentially form tissue. They may also provide biochemical and mechanical cues for the cells to function, grow, differentiate, etc. The scaffolds, including hydrogels, in both the scenarios above may be made up of one or more of Extra Cellular Matrix components, proteins, sugars, edible materials, polymers, conducting polymers, etc. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to being able to perform a plurality of functions using the electrodes of the invention. In an embodiment, measuring an electronic 7    03661AAT11PCT1US    property of the cells (such as impedance, resistance, capacitance, permittivity, dielectric measurements, conductance, transconductance, voltage, current, charge, or any other electrical property) one can use the measure against a standard curve, or alternatively, use an artificial intelligence algorithm to measure a cell growth or density. Alternatively, the electrodes of the present invention can be used to measure cell type or cell differentiation capabilities (or the amount of differentiation that has occurred). In an embodiment, the electrodes of the present invention can be used to estimate a composition and the relative amounts of components in a media composition that is growing the cells of interest. In an embodiment, the electrodes and the measured attained can be used to detect contamination in the cells that are grown in a given media (including in scaffolds, which may include hydrogels). In another embodiment, the electrodes of the present invention may be able to send signals to cells that are growing with the message of the signal instructing the cells to start their differentiation (e.g., to change cell type or cell function). In one embodiment of the invention, the measurement system is made up of electrodes made of metal, such as gold, stainless steel, platinum, etc., or a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). For example: An inventive aspect of this methodology lies in the development of a low-cost, biocompatible device that seamlessly integrates with various cell culture chambers while enabling high-precision monitoring of subtle cellular behavior changes. This is the first time such a system has been applied to cultivated meat technology. Unlike traditional bioelectronic systems, which often require specialized setups and lack scalability, the device is designed to meet the unique challenges of cultivated meat production. Large-scale systems in this field make it difficult to monitor cellular behavior effectively, but one solution provides real-time, accurate insights into cell health and activity at an affordable cost. Compared to conventional systems, the in-house device of the present invention offers significant advantages in terms of cost and scalability. While conventional systems are limited to specific setups such as Ibidi chambers or 12-well plates, this system is adaptable to virtually any cell culture environment. This flexibility is crucial for cultivated meat production, where large-scale systems make it challenging to monitor cellular behavior effectively. This combination of precision, versatility, and scalability represents a significant advancement, offering a powerful tool to optimize and streamline meat production processes. Electrodes with conformal rings were designed in Autocad 2025. To test the effectiveness of the proposed process for the development of conformal impedance sensors, electrical measurements were performed on an array of circular electrodes designed with different distances between an inner disk and an outer circle. A plurality of possible designs were 8    03661AAT11PCT1US    contemplated, and a table of sizes for different circular electrodes tested (see Fig.9B), and a final geometry and configuration of conformal electrodes was proposed (see Fig.9C). The distance between the inner and outer electrodes determines the shape, intensity, and reach of the electric field. Following preliminary tests, it was decided to proceed with the fabrication of the electrodes as PCB boards. The use of a 4-terminal configuration is important in that it minimizes electrode polarization during measurements of electrolytes (such as cell media) while increasing sensitivity. Using this configuration, the electrical signal is supplied by the outer-most electrodes (usually as a specific static electrical current value) and the inner-most electrodes measure the electrical signal between each other (e.g., it is usually measured as a voltage). The use of a conformal ring design should increase sensitivity of the electrodes to capacitance changes, by having more of the signal being measured in parallel when compared to the coplanar configuration. In an electrical circuit, parallel capacitors are summed together to provide the final value of sample capacitance, thus more parallelization of the measuring signal should imply more sensitivity to capacitance changes of said sample. It was discovered that there are relatively significant measured capacitance changes depending on the electrode design. An equivalent circuit model of one proposed impedance meter without cells in the well was studied and data was attained. The model was broken down into its respective parts with Rmediabeing the impedance of fluids (media in case of cells), Csbeing the equivalent capacitance between an electrode and media due to a PDMS thin film. Ce parasitic is the capacitance between 2 electrodes; with dinbeing the distance between electrodes. The impedance modulation due to the presence of cells could be calculated. While measuring the same sample volume, it was discovered that the use of conformal rings would lead to an increase of signal parallelization, thus increasing sensitivity to capacitance changes in solution. This allows one to attain better standardization curves allowing for one to accurately ascertain cell populations and densities in the bioreactor for the cultivated meat. The electrodes were fabricated from bare copper PCB laminates using Computer numerical control (CNC) equipment. Once the electrodes were fabricated, a small layer of tin was added to the surface of each electrode via manual soldering, to cover the corrosive copper layer from the electrolyte sample during measurements. A small wire was soldered in the drilled holes, connecting both sides of the electrode to each other. These electrodes were suspended 2mm above the bottom of a well of a 12-well plate, using a PDMS basket, to fully immerse the electrodes in cell media and ensure minimal noise, although the electrodes could be placed at the bottom of the wells as an additional option. See FIG.9.E, which shows the well plate configuration with the PCB board as well as the PDMS gasket. 9    03661AAT11PCT1US    The cell measurements were performed by filling a well with 1 mL of proprietary media, obtaining a baseline EIS measurement and then carrying out EIS measurements with different, known concentrations (numbers) of porcine cells. The volume was always maintained at approximately 1 mL to decrease any liquid volume induced variations in the signal. Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were acquired in the frequency range between 100 Hz and 10 MHz (1000 points in total in Log scale with a precision of 1) using the linked ScioSpec ISX-3 unit and their proprietary Software. Measurements were individually saved as .spec files and then processed and analyzed. There is both a real part of impedance increasing with the number of cells and an imaginary part of impedance decreasing with the number of cells. There is a correlation between the different numbers of cells and the resistance and imaginary part (capacitance) The fact that there are these correlations illustrates how such an electronic system can be used to monitor cultivated meat production. The data for known cell parameters can be measured, which allows one to graph a standard curve that allows one the ability to ascertain a number of cells and to ascertain when a cultivated meat product may be available for further processing (e.g., sale, consumption, etc.). One aspect of the present invention is that there exists a real part of impedance increasing in correlation with the fat differentiation of cells. There is also an imaginary part of impedance decreasing with fat differentiation. The bioelectronic system has been validated using LipidTox™ staining and calculating the ratio of lipids to nuclei of cells. It should also be noted that the real part of impedance decreases with the myogenic differentiation of cells. The imaginary part of impedance increasing with muscle differentiation can be measured and seen in figures 5 and 6, employing a quantification of fusion index. The quantification of Fusion index is given by equation (1) below.^^^^ ൌ ே௨^^^^ை^ே௨^^^^ூ^௧^^ி^^^^^^ெ௨^^^^்^௧^^ே௨^^^^^^ே௨^^^^ (1) cells into fat in a biological system comprising: measuring an impedance, capacitance or other electronic property of the cells in the biological system and comparing it to a standard curve or using Artificial Intelligence, thereby allowing one to monitor the differentiation of cells into fat in a biological system. The following description of the figures further shows how one is able to achieve the purposes of the invention. Fig.1A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Re) of cells (porcine) in suspension increasing with an increase in the number of cells (determined via 10    03661AAT11PCT1US    manual cell counting) from measurements over a frequency range between 100 Hz and 10 MHz using generic electrodes. This illustrates the capability of bioelectronic methods for estimating cell number / density, cell growth and / or cell viability. Fig.1B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of cells (porcine) in suspension decreasing with an increase in the number of cells (determined via manual cell counting) from measurements over a frequency range between 100 Hz and 10 MHz using generic electrodes. This also demonstrates the capability of bioelectronic methods for estimating cell number, growth and / or viability. Fig.1C depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Re) of cells (porcine) in suspension increasing with an increase in the number of cells (determined via manual cell counting). The zoomed in frequency range from 0 Hz and 100 kHz was measured using generic electrodes. This also illustrates the capability of the present invention to estimate cell number, cell growth and / or its / their viability. Fig.1D depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of cells (porcine) in suspension decreasing with an increase in the number of cells (determined via manual cell counting), zoomed in at a frequency range between 0 Hz and 100 kHz, wherein the measurements were made using generic electrodes. This again illustrates the capabilities of the present invention to estimate cell number, growth and / or viability. Fig.2A depicts cells (porcine) growing adherently on a bioelectronic device with generic electrodes over 3 days. Fig.2B depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Re) of the adherent cells (porcine) depicted in Fig.2A increasing with an increase in the number of cells (viable cell growth) from measurements over a frequency range between 100 Hz and 10 MHz using generic electrodes. This is one more example illustrating the capability of the present invention to estimate cell number, growth and / or viability. Fig.2C depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of the adherent cells (porcine) depicted in Fig.2A increasing with an increase in the number of cells (viable cell growth) over 3 days. The frequency range between 0 Hz and 100 kHz was measured using generic electrodes, thereby illustrating the capability of the present invention to estimate cell number, growth and / or viability. It should be noted from the data that the measurements are more sensitive at lower frequencies for the real component of impedance. Fig.2D depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of the adherent cells (porcine) depicted in Fig.2A decreasing with an increase in the number of cells (viable cell growth) over 3 days. A frequency range between 30 kHz and 100 kHz was measured using generic electrodes, thereby illustrating the capability of the present invention to 11    03661AAT11PCT1US    estimate cell number, growth and viability. The measurements are more sensitive at relatively higher frequencies for the imaginary component of impedance. Fig.3A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (porcine) in suspension increasing with an increase in the number of cells (determined via manual cell counting) over a frequency range between 1.5 kHz and 5 kHz from measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes. This also illustrates the capability of bioelectronic methods of estimating cell number, growth and viability. Fig.3B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Im) of cells (porcine) in suspension decreasing with an increase in the number of cells (determined via manual cell counting) over a frequency range between 3 kHz and 10 kHz from measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes, thereby illustrating the capability of bioelectronic methods of estimating cell number, growth and / or viability. Fig.3C depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the calculated values of the real component of Impedance (Real) from bioelectronic measurements of cells (porcine) depicted in Fig.3A. This allows for them to be correlated with the actual number of cells as determined by manual cell counts, thereby validating that bioelectronics provide valuable information illustrating a strong correlation and match between the measured bioelectronics data and predictions from artificial intelligence (machine learning). Fig.3D depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the calculated values of the imaginary component of Impedance (Img) from bioelectronic measurements of cells (porcine) depicted in Fig.3B. They can be correlated with the actual number of cells as determined by manual cell counts, thereby validating that bioelectronics yield valuable information because there is a strong correlation and match between the measured bioelectronics data and the predictions from artificial intelligence (machine learning). Fig.4A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (lamb) decreasing as the cells undergo myogenic differentiation towards muscle over 5 days under a muscle differentiation media from measurements using generic electrodes. This again illustrates the capability of the present invention to detect, monitor, and / or predict differentiation with high sensitivity. Fig.4B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (lamb) increasing as the cells undergo myogenic differentiation towards muscle over 5 days under a muscle differentiation media from measurements using generic electrodes. Once again, this illustrates the capability of this invention to detect and monitor differentiation with high sensitivity. The detection and monitoring can even be attained with only partial differentiation. 12    03661AAT11PCT1US    Fig.4C depicts the validation of the data depicted in Fig.4A and Fig.4B by confirming the myogenic differentiation of the cells measured after 5 days under muscle differentiation media using more conventional Fusion Index calculations. After the 5-day period, the nuclei of the cells were stained using DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) while the immunostaining of a mature muscle biomarker was used to stain muscle fibers, and then the fusion index was calculated using the given formula Fig.5A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (lamb), which is significantly higher for (lamb) cells that have not undergone differentiation (circles) under growth media relative to cells from that same cell line that have undergone myogenic differentiation towards becoming muscle cells or tissue under muscle differentiation media (stars). The measurements were taken using purpose-built, custom electrodes, thereby illustrating the capability of this invention to detect and monitor differentiation with high sensitivity even with only partial differentiation. Fig.5B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (lamb) significantly lower for (lamb) cells that have not undergone differentiation (circles) under growth media than cells from that same cell line that have undergone myogenic differentiation towards becoming muscle cells or tissue (stars) under muscle differentiation media from measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes, thereby illustrating the capability of this invention to detect and monitor differentiation with high sensitivity even with only partial differentiation. Fig.5C depicts the validation of the data depicted in Fig.5A and Fig.5B by confirming the myogenic differentiation of the cells measured after undergoing myogenic differentiation under muscle differentiation media using more conventional Fusion Index calculations. The nuclei of the cells were stained using DAPI while the immunostaining of a mature muscle biomarker was used to stain muscle fibers, and then fusion index was calculated using the Fusion Index formula. Fig.6A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (human) increasing as the cells undergo adipogenic differentiation towards fat cells (adipocytes) over 12 days under an adipogenic differentiation media from measurements using generic electrodes. This again illustrates the capability of this invention to detect and monitor differentiation with high sensitivity, even with only partial cell differentiation. Fig.6B depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (human) decreasing as the cells undergo adipogenic differentiation towards fat over 12 days under an adipogenic differentiation media from measurements using generic electrodes, 13    03661AAT11PCT1US    thereby illustrating the capability of this invention to detect and monitor differentiation with high sensitivity. Fig.6C depicts the validation of the data depicted in Fig.6A and Fig.6B by confirming the adipogenic differentiation of the cells measured over 12 days under adipogenic differentiation media relative to cells grown under growth media which did not undergo adipogenic differentiation. The measurements were made using the more conventional method of staining any lipids produced using Lipidtox™ and nuclei using DAPI. Subsequently, the ratio of area covered by Lipidtox staining to the area covered by DAPI staining were calculated and compared for several images of the cells of each sample, including those that were measured after 12 days. Fig.6D depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the resistance values of the cells (human) while they undergo adipogenic differentiation towards fat cells (adipocytes) over 12 days under an adipogenic differentiation media. The data illustrates that there is a strong correlation and match between measured bioelectronics data and the predictions from artificial intelligence (machine learning). Fig.7A depicts that the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of cells (porcine) that have undergone adipogenic differentiation towards fat cells (adipocytes) under Adipogenic Differentiation Media 1 (Circles) and Adipogenic Differentiation Media 2 (Stars) have higher values relative to cells from the same cell line grown under growth media (Squares). The latter have not undergone adipogenic differentiation, as deduced by measurement using purpose-built, custom electrodes. This also illustrates the capability of this invention to detect and monitor differentiation with high sensitivity, even with only partial differentiation. Fig.7B depicts that the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of cells (porcine) that have undergone adipogenic differentiation towards fat cells (adipocytes) under Adipogenic Differentiation Media 1 (Circles) and Adipogenic Differentiation Media 2 (Stars) gives a lower value relative to cells from the same cell line grown under growth media (Squares). The latter have not undergone adipogenic differentiation, which is consistent with the measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes. This again illustrates the capability of this invention to detect and monitor differentiation with high sensitivity, even with only partial differentiation. Fig.7C depicts validation of the data depicted in Fig.7A and Fig.7B by confirming the different extent of adipogenic differentiation of the cells measured under the 2 adipogenic differentiation media compositions relative to cells grown under growth media which did not undergo adipogenic differentiation. The validation was attained by using the more conventional method of staining any lipids produced using Lipidtox™ and nuclei using 14    03661AAT11PCT1US    DAPI and then calculating the ratio of area covered by Lipidtox staining to the area covered by DAPI staining for several images of the cells of each sample measured. Fig.8A depicts the calculated values of the real component of impedance (Real) of different media compositions from measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes. This again illustrates the capability of the bioelectronic methods of the present invention in detecting differences and changes in media compositions and components. Fig.8b depicts the calculated values of the imaginary component of impedance (Img) of different media compositions from measurements using purpose-built, custom electrodes. This is one more instance demonstrating the enormous potential of bioelectronic methods for detecting differences and changes in media compositions and components. Fig.9A depicts different designs of different, customized circular electrodes tested, which could be used as part of this invention. Fig.9B depicts the different sizes and dimensions of different, customized circular electrodes tested, which could be used as part of this invention. Fig.9C depicts the geometry and configuration of the electrodes used for the measurements depicted in Fig.3, Fig.5, and Fig.7. Fig.9D depicts an alternative geometry and configuration of various electrodes which could be used for this invention. Fig.9E depicts a 'probe' configuration of the bioelectronic device (electrodes), which can be used for this invention. Such a probe-like design can be inserted into various vessels, devices, chambers, well plates, etc. to take measurements of biological systems, including into multiple points of commercial cultivated meat bioreactors. This would allow one to attain spatial data in the bioreactor from the various measurement points. Fig.9F depicts the geometry of the electrodes used for the measurements depicted in Fig. 10, and a multi-well based configuration of this invention. Fig.10A depicts the measured or calculated values of capacitance, resistance, the real component of impedance (Real) and the imaginary component of impedance (Imaginary) of cells (porcine) for different numbers of cells (determined via manual cell counting) from measurements using the purpose-built, custom bioelectronic system (electrodes) depicted in Fig. 9C. This illustrates the sensitivity of the methods and systems of the present invention to cell number, cell growth and / or cell viability. Fig.10B depicts the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to process the values of capacitance, resistance, the real component of impedance (Real) and the imaginary component of impedance (Imaginary) of cells (porcine) depicted in Fig.10A from the bioelectronic system. They are correlated with the actual number of cells as determined by manual cell counts, thereby 15    03661AAT11PCT1US    validating that bioelectronics work because there is a strong correlation and match between the cell counts estimated from the bioelectronics data and the manual cell counts. With the description of the above figures, it should be readily apparent that measuring one or more electronic properties of a cell system can allow one to glean very useful information about the cell systems. It should be apparent that this information could be particularly helpful in generating a cultivated meat product, allowing one to attain better growth or growth conditions, better cell differentiation, and overall, a better cultivated meat product. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed that comprises monitoring the differentiation of cells into fat in a bioreactor or a multi-well plate comprising: measuring an impedance, capacitance or other electronic property of the cells in the bioreactor or the multi-well plate and comparing it to a standard curve or using artificial intelligence, thereby allowing one to monitor the differentiation of cells into fat in the bioreactor or the multi-well plate. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to method of monitoring the differentiation of cells into muscle in a biological system comprising: measuring an impedance, capacitance or other electronic property of the cells in the biological system and comparing it to a standard curve or using Artificial Intelligence, thereby allowing one to monitor the differentiation of cells into muscle in a biological system. In a variation, the method comprises monitoring the differentiation of cells into muscle in a bioreactor or a multi-well plate comprising: measuring an impedance, capacitance or other electronic property of the cells in the bioreactor or the multi-well plate and comparing it to a standard curve, thereby allowing one to monitor the differentiation of cells into muscle in the bioreactor or the multi-well plate. In a variation of the method, the method uses one or more electrodes to measure the impedance or the capacitance. In a variation, the method uses electrical impedance spectroscopy. In a variation, the one or more electrodes may comprise one or a series of coplanar electrodes or one or a series of conformal ring electrodes. In a variation, the one or more electrodes comprise conformal ring electrodes. In a variation, the one or more electrodes have at least four terminals. In a variation, the one or more electrodes may comprise five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten terminals. In a variation, the one or more electrodes have exactly four terminals. In a variation, the four 16    03661AAT11PCT1US    terminals may be positioned on different electrodes. In a variation, each of the terminals is positioned on a different electrode. In one embodiment, novel electrodes with concentric rings were designed in Fusion360. The use of a 4-terminal configuration is essential to minimize electrode polarization during measurements of electrolytes (such as cell media) while increasing sensitivity. Using this configuration, the electrical signal is supplied by the outer-most electrodes (usually as a specific static electrical current value) and the inner-most electrodes measure the electrical signal between each other (usually measure voltage). The use of a concentric ring design should increase sensitivity of the electrodes to capacitance changes, by having more of the signal being measured in parallel when compared to the coplanar configuration. In an electrical circuit, parallel capacitors are summed together to provide the final value of sample capacitance, thus more parallelization of the signal that is measured should imply more sensitivity to capacitance changes of said sample. It has been discovered that there are relatively significant measured capacitance changes depending on the electrode design. While measuring the same sample volume, it was discovered that the use of concentric rings would lead to an increase of signal parallelization, thus increasing sensitivity to capacitance changes in solution. This allows one to attain better standardization curves allowing for one to accurately ascertain cell populations and densities in the bioreactor for the cultivated meat. The electrodes were fabricated from bare copper PCB laminates using Computer numerical control (CNC) equipment. Once the electrodes were fabricated, a small layer of tin was added to the surface of each electrode via manual soldering, as to cover the corrosive copper layer from the electrolyte sample during measurements. A small wire was soldered in the drilled holes, connecting both sides of the electrode to each other. These electrodes were suspended above 2mm of the bottom of a well of a 12-well plate, as to fully immerse the electrodes in cell media and ensure minimal noise, although the electrodes could be placed at the bottom of the wells as an additional option. The cell measurements were performed by filling a well with 1 mL of a proprietary media, obtaining a baseline EIS measurement and then carrying out EIS measurements with different, known concentrations (numbers) of porcine stem cells (pig cells for pork). The volume was always maintained at approximately 1 mL to decrease any liquid volume induced variations in the signal. Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were acquired in the frequency range between 100 Hz and 10 MHz (1000 points in total in Log scale with a precision of 1) using the linked ScioSpec ISX-3 unit and their proprietary Software. Measurements were 17    03661AAT11PCT1US    individually saved as .spec files and then processed and analysed. The results of these measurements are shown in Fig.10. There is a clear correlation between the different numbers of cells and the resistance and capacitance values, thereby illustrating how such an electronic system can be used to monitor cultivated meat production. The obtained curves allow one to have a standard curve that allows one the ability to ascertain a number of cells and to ascertain when a cultivated meat product may be available for further processing (e.g., sale, consumption, etc.). In an embodiment, the present invention relates to method of estimating a number of cells in a biological system comprising: measuring an impedance, capacitance or other electronic property of the cells in the biological system and comparing it to a standard curve or using Artificial Intelligence, thereby allowing one to estimate the number of cells in the biological system. The biological system can be any of a bioreactor, bench-top bioreactors, microfluidic models, multi-well plates and / or high-throughput screening systems. In a variation, the method comprises estimating a number of cells in a bioreactor or a multi-well plate comprising: measuring an impedance, capacitance or other electronic property of the cells in the bioreactor or the multi-well plate and comparing it to a standard curve, thereby allowing one to estimate the number of cells in the bioreactor or the multi-well plate. In a variation of the method, the method uses one or more electrodes to measure the impedance or the capacitance. In a variation, the method uses electrical impedance spectroscopy. In a variation, the one or more electrodes may comprise one or a series of coplanar electrodes or one or a series of concentric ring electrodes. In a variation, the one or more electrodes comprise concentric ring electrodes. In a variation, the one or more electrodes have at least four terminals. In a variation, the one or more electrodes may comprise five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten terminals. In a variation, the one or more electrodes have exactly four terminals. In a variation, the four terminals may be positioned on different electrodes. In a variation, each of the terminals is positioned on a different electrode. In a variation, the method further comprises using the multi-well plate with a plurality of wells and the concentric ring electrodes are configured to fit inside a well. In a variation, the multi-well plate is a 12 well plate. In a variation, the method further utilizes an interfacial material comprised of organic conducting polymers, the interfacial material facilitating enhanced signal transduction. In a variation, the organic conducting polymer is PEDOT:PSS. 18    03661AAT11PCT1US    In a variation, the PEDOT:PSS is integrated into an extra-cellular matrix in the bioreactor. In a variation, the PEDOT:PSS is integrated into the electrodes. In an embodiment, the cells comprise one or more members selected from the group consisting of muscle cells, fat cells, other differentiated cell types in muscle tissue, stem cells, such as stem cells capable of differentiating into muscle cells or fat cells or any other cell populations in muscle tissue, and any other cell populations capable of differentiation into muscle cells, fat cells or any other cell population in muscle tissue, including, without limitation, cartilage, bone, vascular tissue, extracellular matrix, neuronal tissue, etc. and plant cells, said cells being used for a cultivated meat product. In an embodiment, current may be supplied to these one or more types of cells in order to stimulate them for cultivated meat production. In a variation, the current stimulation may be administered by employing ideal organic conducting polymers, such as PEDOT:PSS. In a variation, the PEDOT:PSS may be freeze-dried, 3D- printed or electrospun. Alternatively and / or additionally, the current that is supplied may be enhanced by employing a conducting scaffold such as one or more different hydrogels or freeze- dried or electrospun scaffolds. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a concentric ring electrodes configuration, said concentric ring electrodes configuration comprising four terminals, with the four terminals positioned on each concentric ring electrode and configured to minimize electrolyte electrode polarization during measurement. In an embodiment, the four terminals are generated by drilling four holes, wherein a small wire is soldered into the four holes, connecting a first side of each concentric ring electrode to a second side of each concentric ring electrode. In a variation, the concentric ring electrodes configuration comprises bare copper PCB laminate made by using computer numerical control (CNC) equipment. In a variation, the concentric ring electrodes configuration further comprises a small layer of tin, which is added to a surface of each electrode via manual soldering. In a variation, the small layer of tin covers the bare copper. In an embodiment, each concentric ring electrode comprises PEDOT:PSS. The present invention also relates to methods of increasing cell growth in cultivated meat, and thereby increasing production of cultivated meat by utilizing data from impedance or capacitance measurements to generate data allowing one to ascertain ideal conditions to grow the cells that comprise the cultivated meat. In an embodiment, the impedance, permittivity or capacitance measurements allow one to ascertain more accurately the cell growth and the cell growth density, thereby allowing one to ascertain if cell growth is occurring ideally. The method may be combined with artificial intelligence (AI) hardware / software, allowing the AI to keep track of variables that can be varied and honed to achieve optimal growth. 19    03661AAT11PCT1US    In an embodiment, the present invention relates to kits that allow an individual user to cultivate meat growth. The kit may comprise instructions, cells, media, a biological system (such as a bench-top bioreactor or a multi-well plate), optimized AI software / hardware, one or more electrodes as described herein, and other elements necessary for an individual to cultivate meat. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to commercial-scale cultivated meat manufacturing systems that allow an individual user or organisation to cultivate meat growth. The system may comprise instructions, cells, media, a biological system (such as a bioreactor), optimized AI software / hardware, one or more electrodes as described herein, and other elements necessary for an individual to cultivate meat. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring and optionally promoting cell growth in a cultivated meat production system, the method comprising: (a) measuring at least one electrical property of cells and / or media in the cultivated meat production system using a bioelectronic device, wherein the at least one electrical property is one or more members selected without limitation from the group consisting of impedance, resistance, capacitance, and conductance, or any other electrical property; (b) analyzing and / or processing the measured at least one electrical property that has been measured to determine at least one characteristic of the cells, tissue or the surrounding culture media, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group consisting of cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants of biological origin, presence or absence of contaminants of non-biological origin in the media, and media composition; and (c) optionally, applying an electrical stimulus to the cells to promote cell growth and / or differentiation. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises one or more electrodes selected from the group consisting of concentric ring electrodes, coplanar electrodes, and electrodes integrated into or composed of a scaffold, including but not limited to (a) hydrogel(s). In a variation, the methods described herein can be used for research and / or development purposes. Thus, in a variation, cultivated meat production, research and / or development systems can be with any type of cell and / or tissue culture / sample, including but not limited to systems in a bioreactor, a multi-well plate, a microfluidic chip, and / or in any in vitro model of a cultivated meat production system. 20    03661AAT11PCT1US    In a variation, the analyzing and / or processing of the data relating to the at least one electrical property that has been measured comprises applying machine learning to it or using an artificial intelligence algorithm to the measured at least one electrical property . In a variation, the method is performed in real-time or at predetermined intervals. In a variation, the method is performed for research of cultivated meat, process development of cultivated meat, or commercial production of cultivated meat. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes at different locations configured to provide spatial resolution of the measured at least one electrical property that has been measured within the production system. In a variation, the method further comprises detecting contamination in the cultivated meat production, research and / or development system based on the at least one electrical property that has been measured. In a variation, the cells that are used are one or more members selected from the group consisting of muscle cells, fat cells, or other differentiated cell types normally resident in muscle tissue, and stem cells capable of differentiating into muscle cells or fat cells or any other cell populations in muscle tissue, and any other cell populations capable of differentiation into muscle cells, fat cells or any other cell population in muscle tissue, including, without limitation, cartilage, bone, vascular tissue, extracellular matrix, neuronal tissue, etc. or any other cell populations normally resident in muscle tissue. In a variation, applying the electrical stimulus comprises promoting cell growth, differentiation and / or lipid accumulation. muscle cell differentiation and / or fat accumulation in the cells. In a variation, the method is performed in a system for cell or tissue culture where the tissue or cells are in suspension, or part of an adherent platform, or attached to a substrate or scaffold. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a system or systems for monitoring and promoting cell growth in a cultivated meat production system, the system comprising: (a) a bioelectronic device comprising one or more electrodes configured to measure at least one electrical property of cells or media in the cultivated meat production, research and / or development system, and / or apply electrical stimulation to the cells to promote cell growth, function and / or differentiation; (b) a processor configured to analyze and / or process the measured at least one electrical property that has been measured to determine at least one characteristic of the cells; and (c) optionally, a stimulation module configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the cells to promote cell growth, and / or cell differentiation and / or cell function. 21    03661AAT11PCT1US    In a variation, the bioelectronic device is integrated into or comprises a scaffold, including hydrogels, or hydrogel supporting cell growth and / or tissue formation. In a variation, the processor is configured to apply or use machine learning or other artificial intelligence algorithm to the at least one electrical property that has been measured. In a variation, the system is configured to operate in real-time or at predetermined intervals. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes at different locations configured to provide spatial resolution of the measured at least one electrical property that has been measured within the cultivated meat production, research and / or development system. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises one or more electrodes selected from the group consisting of concentric ring electrodes, coplanar electrodes, and electrodes integrated into or composed of a scaffold, wherein the scaffold optionally includes hydrogels. In a variation of the systems and the methods described herein, the system further comprises means for detecting contamination in the cultivated meat production (including in the cultivated meat product and / or the media). In a variation, the method and system include having or using research and / or development systems based on at least one electrical property that has been measured. In a variation, the cells are one or more members selected from the group consisting of muscle cells, fat cells, other differentiated cell types in muscle tissue, stem cells capable of differentiating into muscle cells or fat cells or any other cell populations in muscle tissue, and any other cell populations capable of differentiation into muscle cells, fat cells or any other cell population in muscle tissue, including, without limitation, cartilage, bone, vascular tissue, extracellular matrix, neuronal tissue, etc. In a variation, the electrical stimulus that can be administered to the cells / media results in the promotion of cell growth, differentiation and / or lipid accumulation. In a variation, the system is used in a system for cell or tissue culture, including without limitation, a system where the tissue or cells are in suspension, or an adherent platform, or attached to a substrate or scaffold, In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for high-throughput screening of conditions and / or identifying the optimal cell culture conditions in cultivated meat production, the method comprising: (a) providing a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of wells, each well containing cells under different culture conditions; 22    03661AAT11PCT1US    (b) measuring at least one electrical property of the cells in each well using a bioelectronic device; (c) analyzing the at least one electrical property that is measured to determine at least one characteristic of the cells in each well; and (d) identifying optimal culture conditions based on the at least one characteristic of the cells. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for screening and identifying optimal culture conditions, optimal bioprocess parameters, and / or optimal components, such as cell lines and media composition and amounts, the method also providing information on bioprocess development and / or testing for cells used in cultivated meat production, the method comprising: (a) providing a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of at least one or more wells, each well containing cells under different culture conditions; (b) measuring at least one electrical property of the cells or media in each well using a bioelectronic device; (c) analyzing the at least one electrical property that has been measured in each well to determine at least one characteristic of the cells or media in each well; and (d) identifying optimal culture conditions, bioprocess parameters, and / or components, such as cell lines and media, based on the at least one characteristic of the cells in each well. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises electrodes configured to fit inside each well of the multi-well plate. In a variation, analyzing the at least one electrical property that has been measured comprises applying a machine learning or artificial intelligence algorithm to identify patterns or trends across the different culture conditions, bioprocess paraments, or components such as cell lines and media. The machine language or artificial intelligence algorithm may then make suggestions as to the optimal conditions in which to grow the cells, for example if the cells are grown in cultivated meat production. In a variation, the method comprises a high-throughput screening process. The high throughput screening process may be performed automatically without significant input from a user or scientist (e.g., a human). In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for controlling and / or optimizing a cultivated meat production process on a commercial scale, the method including without limitation, a process for controlling and / or optimizing cell or tissue culture in suspension, a process for controlling and / or optimizing cell or tissue culture in an adherent 23    03661AAT11PCT1US    platform, and a process for controlling and / or optimizing cell or tissue culture wherein the cells and / or tissue are attached to a substrate or scaffold, the method comprising: (a) continuously measuring at least one electrical property of cells in a large-scale bioreactor using a bioelectronic device; (b) analyzing and / or processing the at least one electrical property that is measured in real-time to determine at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media; (c) comparing the at least one cell characteristic that is determined to a predetermined target value for the at least one cell characteristic to attain a comparison; and (d) adjusting one or more process parameters, if necessary, based on the comparison to maintain and / or achieve optimal production conditions. In a variation, the comparison is done using a standard curve. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes positioned at different locations within the large-scale bioreactor to provide spatial resolution of the at least one electrical property that has been / is measured. The spatial resolution may provide information that shows that one part of a bioreactor (whether it is small or large) may have a different local environment than another part of the bioreactor. This may give information that tells the operator to make adjustments. For example, if one part of the bioreactor gives different local environmental data relative to another part, this may tell the bioreactor operator to increase mixing or to provide some other solution to resolve different characteristics. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of estimating at least one characteristic of cells, tissue and / or media in a biological system comprising: a) measuring an electrical property such as impedance, capacitance or other electronic or electrical property of the cells, tissue and / or media in the biological system, b) comparing the electrical property to a standard curve or using Artificial Intelligence such as machine learning, thereby allowing one to estimate the at least one characteristic of the cells, tissue and / or media in the biological system, wherein the at least one characteristic is selected from the group consisting of, (but not limited to), cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants in the media, media composition, and combinations thereof. In a variation, the method of estimating the at least one characteristic of the cells is used in cultivated meat production. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring and optionally promoting cultivated meat production, the method comprising: 24    03661AAT11PCT1US    (a) measuring at least one electrical property of cells or media in the cultivated meat production system using a bioelectronic device, wherein the at least one electrical property is one or more members selected from the group consisting of impedance, resistance, capacitance, permittivity, dielectric measurements, conductance, transconductance, voltage, current, charge, and any other electrical property; (b) analyzing or processing the at least one electrical property that is / has been measured to determine at least one characteristic of the cells or the media, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group consisting of cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants in the media, and media composition; and (c) optionally, applying an electrical stimulus to the cells to promote cell growth or cell differentiation in cultivated meat production. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises one or more electrodes selected from the group consisting of concentric ring electrodes, coplanar electrodes, and electrodes integrated into or comprising a scaffold. In a variation, the cultivated meat production system comprises a bioreactor, a multi-well plate, a microfluidic chip, or an in vitro model of the cultivated meat production system. In a variation, analyzing or processing the at least one electrical property that is measured is performed by an artificial intelligence algorithm. In a variation, the method is performed for research of cultivated meat, process development of cultivated meat, or commercial production of cultivated meat. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes at different locations configured to provide spatial resolution of the at least one electrical property that has been measured. In a variation, the method further comprises detecting contamination in the cultivated meat production system based on the at least one electrical property that has been measured. In a variation, the cells are one or more members selected from the group consisting of muscle cells, fat cells, other differentiated cell types in muscle tissue, stem cells capable of differentiating into muscle cells or fat cells, any other cell populations in muscle tissue, any other cell populations capable of differentiation into muscle cells or fat cells, and any other cell population in muscle tissue. In a variation, the electrical stimulus is supplied. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for monitoring and / or promoting cultivated meat production, the system comprising: (a) a bioelectronic device comprising one or more electrodes configured to measure at least one electrical property of cells and / or media in the cultivated meat production, and / or apply electrical stimulation to the cells to promote cell growth, cell function or cell differentiation; 25    03661AAT11PCT1US    (b) a processor configured to analyze the at least one electrical property that has been measured to determine at least one characteristic of the cells; and (c) optionally, a stimulation module configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the cells to promote cell growth or differentiation. In a variation, the bioelectronic device is integrated into a scaffold or hydrogel supporting the cell growth, cell function or cell differentiation. In a variation, the processor is configured to apply an artificial intelligence algorithm to the at least one electrical property that has been measured. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes at different locations configured to provide spatial resolution of the at least one electrical property that has been measured within the cultivated meat production system. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for screening and / or identifying optimal conditions, bioprocess parameters, components, component amounts, cell lines, and / or media, in cultivated meat production, the method comprising: (a) providing a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of wells, each well containing cells under different conditions; (b) measuring at least one electrical property of the cells and / or media in each well using a bioelectronic device; (c) analyzing the at least one electrical property that has been measured in each well to determine at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media in each well; and (d) identifying optimal conditions, bioprocess parameters, components, or component amounts based on the at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media in each well. In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises electrodes configured to fit inside each well of the multi-well plate. In a variation, analyzing the at least one electrical property that has been measured comprises applying an artificial intelligence algorithm to identify patterns or trends across the different conditions. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for optimizing a commercial-scale cultivated meat production process, the method comprising: (a) continuously measuring at least one electrical property of cells and / or media in a bioreactor using a bioelectronic device; (b) analyzing and / or processing the at least one electrical property that has been measured in real-time to determine at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media; (c) comparing the at least one cell characteristic that has been determined to a predetermined target value for the at least one cell characteristic to procure a comparison; and (d) adjusting one or more process parameters, if necessary, based on the comparison to achieve optimal production conditions. 26    03661AAT11PCT1US    In a variation, the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes positioned at different locations within the bioreactor to provide spatial resolution of the at least one electrical property that has been measured. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of estimating at least one characteristic of cells and / or media in a biological system comprising: measuring impedance, capacitance or another electrical property of the cells and / or media in the biological system and comparing it to a standard curve or alternatively, using Artificial Intelligence, to estimate that at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media in the biological system, wherein the at least one characteristic is selected from the group consisting of cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants in the media, and media composition. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for assessing safety and / or toxicology of cultivated meat or novel food product, comprising: (a) exposing an in vitro model of a human organ or an organ-on-chip system that comprise cells and / or media to a sample of the cultivated meat or the novel food product; (b) monitoring one or more electrical properties of the cells and / or media within the in vitro model using an electronic monitoring system, wherein the one or more electrical properties is selected from the group consisting of impedance, resistance, capacitance, permittivity, dielectric measurements, conductance, transconductance, voltage, current, charge, and any other electrical property; (c) analyzing the one or more electrical properties that is monitored to determine at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media, wherein the at least one CHARACTERISTIC is selected from the group consisting of cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants in the media, media composition and combinations thereof; and (d) identifying potential safety or toxicological effects of the cultivated meat or novel food product on the cells within the in vitro model based on changes in the one or more electrical properties that is monitored. 27

Claims

03661AAT11PCT1US    We claim: 1) A method for monitoring and optionally promoting cultivated meat production, the method comprising: (a) measuring at least one electrical property of cells or media in the cultivated meat production system using a bioelectronic device, wherein the at least one electrical property is one or more members selected from the group consisting of impedance, resistance, capacitance, permittivity, dielectric measurements, conductance, transconductance, voltage, current, charge, and any other electrical property; (b) analyzing or processing the at least one electrical property that is / has been measured to determine at least one characteristic of the cells or the media, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group consisting of cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants in the media, and media composition; and (c) optionally, applying an electrical stimulus to the cells to promote cell growth or cell differentiation in cultivated meat production. 2) The method of claim 1, wherein the bioelectronic device comprises one or more electrodes selected from the group consisting of concentric ring electrodes, coplanar electrodes, and electrodes integrated into or comprising a scaffold. 3) The method of claim 1, wherein the cultivated meat production system comprises a bioreactor, a multi-well plate, a microfluidic chip, or an in vitro model of the cultivated meat production system. 4) The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing or processing the at least one electrical property that is measured is performed by an artificial intelligence algorithm. 5) The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed for research of cultivated meat, process development of cultivated meat, or commercial production of cultivated meat. 6) The method of claim 1, wherein the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes at different locations configured to provide spatial resolution of the at least one electrical property that has been measured. 28   03661AAT11PCT1US    7) The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting contamination in the cultivated meat production system based on the at least one electrical property that has been measured. 8) The method of claim 1, wherein the cells are one or more members selected from the group consisting of muscle cells, fat cells, other differentiated cell types in muscle tissue, stem cells capable of differentiating into muscle cells or fat cells, any other cell populations in muscle tissue, any other cell populations capable of differentiation into muscle cells or, fat cells, and any other cell population in muscle tissue. 9) The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulus is supplied. 10) A system for monitoring and / or promoting cultivated meat production, the system comprising: (a) a bioelectronic device comprising one or more electrodes configured to measure at least one electrical property of cells and / or media in the cultivated meat production, and / or apply electrical stimulation to the cells to promote cell growth, cell function or cell differentiation; (b) a processor configured to analyze the at least one electrical property that has been measured to determine at least one characteristic of the cells; and (c) optionally, a stimulation module configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the cells to promote cell growth or differentiation. 11) The system of claim 10, wherein the bioelectronic device is integrated into a scaffold or hydrogel supporting the cell growth, cell function or cell differentiation. 12) The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to apply an artificial intelligence algorithm to the at least one electrical property that has been measured. 13) The system of claim 10, wherein the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes at different locations configured to provide spatial resolution of the at least one electrical property that has been measured within the cultivated meat production system. 14) A method for screening and / or identifying optimal conditions, bioprocess parameters, components, component amounts, cell lines, and / or media, in cultivated meat production, the method comprising: 29   03661AAT11PCT1US    (a) providing a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of wells, each well containing cells under different conditions; (b) measuring at least one electrical property of the cells and / or media in each well using a bioelectronic device; (c) analyzing the at least one electrical property that has been measured in each well to determine at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media in each well; and (d) identifying optimal conditions, bioprocess parameters, components, or component amounts based on the at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media in each well. 15) The method of claim 14, wherein the bioelectronic device comprises electrodes configured to fit inside each well of the multi-well plate. 16) The method of claim 14, wherein analyzing the at least one electrical property that has been measured comprises applying an artificial intelligence algorithm to identify patterns or trends across the different conditions. 17) A method for optimizing a commercial-scale cultivated meat production process, the method comprising: (a) continuously measuring at least one electrical property of cells and / or media in a bioreactor using a bioelectronic device; (b) analyzing and / or processing the at least one electrical property that has been measured in real-time to determine at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media; (c) comparing the at least one cell characteristic that has been determined to a predetermined target value for the at least one cell characteristic to procure a comparison; and (d) adjusting one or more process parameters, if necessary, based on the comparison to achieve optimal production conditions. 18) The method of claim 17, wherein the bioelectronic device comprises multiple electrodes positioned at different locations within the bioreactor to provide spatial resolution of the at least one electrical property that has been measured. 19) A method of estimating at least one characteristic of cells and / or media in a biological system comprising: measuring impedance, capacitance or another electrical property of the cells and / or media in the biological system and comparing it to a standard curve or alternatively, using Artificial Intelligence, to estimate that at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media in the 30   03661AAT11PCT1US    biological system, wherein the at least one characteristic is selected from the group consisting of cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants in the media, and media composition. 20) A method for assessing safety and / or toxicology of cultivated meat or novel food product, comprising: (a) exposing an in vitro model of a human organ or an organ-on-chip system that comprise cells and / or media to a sample of the cultivated meat or the novel food product; (b) monitoring one or more electrical properties of the cells and / or media within the in vitro model using an electronic monitoring system, wherein the one or more electrical properties is selected from the group consisting of impedance, resistance, capacitance, permittivity, dielectric measurements, conductance, transconductance, voltage, current, charge, and any other electrical property; (c) analyzing the one or more electrical properties that is monitored to determine at least one characteristic of the cells and / or media, wherein the at least one CHARACTERISTIC is selected from the group consisting of cell number, cell growth rate, cell viability, cell death, cell morphology, cell phenotype, cell differentiation state, cell differentiation rate, metabolite concentration, presence or absence of contaminants in the media, media composition and combinations thereof; and (d) identifying potential safety or toxicological effects of the cultivated meat or novel food product on the cells within the in vitro model based on changes in the one or more electrical properties that is monitored. 31

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