3D Muscle Tissue Stacking With Offset Holes for Steak-Like Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing three-dimensional muscle tissue for edible use, such as cultured meat, lack specialized conditions and fail to replicate the texture and structure of steak meat, limiting their applicability and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A production method involving the preparation of rectangular cell modules with parallel holes, alternating their stacking, and inducing skeletal myoblasts to differentiate into myotubes, creating a sarcomere structure similar to living muscle tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional animal husbandry methods are used to produce meat, then the texture and structure of steak meat can be achieved, but environmental load increases due to high greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the muscle tissue production process into modular cell modules that can be cultured independently and then stacked. Each module contains a controlled number of myoblasts and hydrogel, allowing for scalable production without requiring large-scale animal husbandry operations, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining tissue quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental production parameters from animal-based to cell-based cultivation. By controlling cell density, hydrogel composition, and stacking configuration, the system produces muscle tissue with steak-like texture and structure without the environmental costs of traditional livestock farming
2Reliability
If three-dimensional muscle tissue is produced using existing methods, then some tissue formation occurs, but the sarcomere structure and texture like living muscle cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the tissue into stacked cell modules with specific geometric configurations. The rectangular holes in alternating layers create a precise three-dimensional architecture that guides myoblast alignment and differentiation, enabling formation of authentic sarcomere structures that mimic living muscle tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional cell culture to three-dimensional stacked modules. The vertical stacking with alternating hole patterns creates a complex 3D architecture that promotes realistic sarcomere formation and muscle-like texture, overcoming the limitations of conventional 2D culture methods
3Ease of manufacture
If cell modules are stacked with overlapping holes, then structural alignment is simplified, but the three-dimensional architecture fails to promote proper myoblast differentiation into myotubes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric hole positioning between alternating layers, where the holes in one layer are offset from those in adjacent layers. This asymmetric arrangement creates optimal three-dimensional spacing and mechanical cues that drive myoblast differentiation into myotubes, while still maintaining manufacturable stacking through standardized module designs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces a three-dimensional muscle tissue with a sarcomere structure and texture comparable to livestock meat, suitable for edible use, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
preparing an approximately rectangular first cell module containing skeletal myoblasts in a hydrogel
Data Source
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Figure 6(A)~6(D)
AI summary
The present invention provides a production method for a three-dimensional muscle tissue including the steps of: preparing an approximately rectangular first cell module containing skeletal myoblasts in a hydrogel, and having a plurality of approximately rectangular holes parallel to each other, and an approximately rectangular second cell module containing skeletal myoblasts in a hydrogel, and having a plurality of approximately rectangular holes parallel to each other at positions different from those of the first cell module in a vertical direction; alternately stacking the prepared first cell module and the prepared second cell module to obtain a stack; subjecting the skeletal myoblasts contained in the obtained stack to proliferation culture; and inducing the proliferated skeletal myoblasts to differentiate into myotubes.