3D Muscle Tissue Stacking for Steak-Like Cultured Meat Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing three-dimensional muscle tissue for edible use, such as cultured meat, lack sufficient conditions for achieving a texture similar to steak meat, and there is a need for a specialized production method.
Innovation Solution
A production method involving the preparation of rectangular cell modules with skeletal myoblasts in a hydrogel, alternating their stacking, and inducing differentiation into myotubes, using specific hydrogel compositions and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional animal husbandry is used to produce meat, then meat supply increases, but environmental load and greenhouse gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the meat production process into cell culture modules that can be independently grown and then assembled. Skeletal muscle cells are cultured in separate bioreactors and stacked to form the final meat product, eliminating the need for whole animal husbandry and significantly reducing environmental impact while maintaining meat supply
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses cell culture technology as an intermediary between agriculture and food production. Instead of directly raising animals, skeletal muscle cells are cultured in controlled laboratory conditions using biocompatible hydrogels and growth factors, serving as a mediator that produces meat-like tissue without the environmental costs of traditional farming
2Manufacturing precision
If three-dimensional muscle tissue is constructed for edible use, then texture similar to steak meat can be achieved, but specialized production conditions are required that are not yet sufficiently investigated
Solution Approach 1:
The production method is segmented into distinct phases: cell proliferation in bioreactors, differentiation into myotubes, and assembly into stacked modules. Each phase has optimized conditions for its specific purpose, allowing precise control over tissue texture while managing overall process complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention systematically varies critical parameters including hydrogel composition (collagen concentration, crosslinking density), growth factor concentrations (IGF-1, bFGF), and culture conditions to achieve the specific texture characteristics of steak meat. These parameter optimizations are documented to guide replication and scale-up
3Volume of moving object
If cell modules are alternately stacked to form three-dimensional tissue, then sufficient size for edible use can be achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The final meat product is segmented into multiple identical or complementary cell modules that are stacked together. Each module can be produced independently in standard bioreactors, and the stacking process assembles them into larger three-dimensional structures with sufficient volume for edible portions, simplifying both production and quality control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a nested structure where cell-laden hydrogel modules are stacked within a containment framework. Smaller functional units (cell modules) are nested within the larger tissue architecture, allowing scalable volume expansion while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through repetitive modular assembly
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 similar to livestock meat, suitable for edible use.
Implementation Method 1
containing skeletal myoblasts in a hydrogel
Data Source
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.