Crosslinked Polypeptide Hollow Fibres for Water-Stable Bioreactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing semi-permeable, porous hollow fibres face challenges such as water solubility, swelling in aqueous solutions, low protein content, and the need for additional separation steps, which hinder their use in bioreactors for cultured meat production.
Innovation Solution
The development of extruded or spun, semi-permeable, porous hollow fibres comprising covalent ester, thioester, and/or amide crosslinked polypeptides, which are edible and resistant to hydrolysis, allowing for high-protein content and eliminating the need for separate cell separation steps, and can be produced without freeze-drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing methods are used to produce hollow fibres, then production is possible, but the fibres exhibit water solubility and swelling in aqueous solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of the fibre material through crosslinking. The hollow fibres are crosslinked to form a stable network structure that prevents water solubility and swelling, while maintaining porosity for cell culture applications. This chemical parameter change transforms the material from water-soluble to water-stable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polypeptides with crosslinking agents to create a new material system. The crosslinked polypeptide network forms a composite structure that integrates the benefits of high protein content with improved water stability and structural integrity for bioreactor use.
2Productivity
If existing hollow fibres are used, then cell culture is possible, but additional separation steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cell culture function with the fibre structure itself. The crosslinked hollow fibres serve dual purposes: as the structural scaffold for high-density cell culture and as the final product matrix that eliminates the need for separate separation steps. Cells are cultured directly within the porous structure and remain integrated upon product formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fibres perform self-service by maintaining structural integrity throughout the cell culture process without requiring external separation mechanisms. The crosslinked network automatically retains cells within the porous structure, making the fibres self-sufficient for both culture and product formation functions.
3Quantity of substance
If existing fibres are used, then production is possible, but protein content is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by fundamentally altering the chemical composition parameters to achieve high protein content. The fibres are constructed from polypeptides with crosslinked bonds, changing the material composition parameter from low-protein conventional materials to high-protein polypeptide-based materials suitable for edible cultured meat products.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional production methods are used, then fibres can be produced, but freeze-drying is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the production process parameters to eliminate freeze-drying. The crosslinked polypeptide fibres maintain structural stability under ambient conditions, allowing direct production without the need for freeze-drying steps, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and improving productivity.
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
These fibres enable high-density cell culture, reduce production costs, and facilitate the creation of edible food products with enhanced texture and taste, while being compatible with existing bioreactor platforms.
Implementation Method 1
treating the hollow fibres with a polycarboxylic acid crosslinking reagent to form inter-polypeptide and/or intra-polypeptide polycarboxylic acid derived covalent ester, thioester or amide bonds
Implementation Method 2
incubating the third composition under conditions sufficient to denature and/or reduce at least a fraction of the polypeptides
Implementation Method 3
treating the covalently-crosslinked, semi-permeable, porous hollow fibres with an organic solvent to increase the relative abundance of beta-sheets in the secondary structure of the polypeptides
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides extruded or spun, semi-permeable, porous hollow fibres, comprising covalent ester, thioester and/or amide crosslinked polypeptides as well as processes for their production. The hollow fibres may be produced from protein, protein extracts, and/or protein isolates derived from plants, animals, bacteria, algae, archaea, and/or fungi, and in certain embodiments are intended to be suitable for human and/or animal ingestion. In some embodiments, the hollow fibres may be designed to be used in the production of cartridges that are compatible with existing and/or novel bioreactor platforms, for harbouring cell cultures in cultured meat production.