Lactating Cell Isolation for In Vitro Milk Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dairy industry faces challenges in meeting increasing global milk demand sustainably, due to issues such as inefficient land use, greenhouse gas production, and limited sources of consistent high-quality milk.
Innovation Solution
A method for preparing and/or isolating a cell population enriched in lactating cells using specific cell markers, which can be used for in vitro milk production, providing a controlled and sustainable approach to milk production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If animal-based milk production is increased to meet global demand, then milk supply increases, but environmental sustainability deteriorates and animal welfare concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific lactating cells from the mammary gland, separating the milk-producing function from the entire animal farming system. By obtaining a cell population enriched in lactating cells through flow cytometry and other separation techniques, the invention extracts only the essential functional component needed for milk production, eliminating the need for raising animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an in vitro milk production system that copies the milk production function of animal mammary glands using isolated lactating cells cultured in controlled environments. This artificial reproduction of the milk production process allows milk to be produced without animals, maintaining the functional output while eliminating the harmful aspects of animal farming.
2Measurement precision
If cell isolation methods use multiple selection steps based on cell markers, then purity of lactating cells increases, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell isolation process into distinct selection steps based on different cell markers (e.g., CD24, CD49f, EpCAM, Cytokeratins). Each marker provides a specific filter to enrich for lactating cells, with subsequent steps building upon previous selections to achieve high purity through cumulative separation effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in cell marker expression parameters to differentiate and select lactating cells. By detecting and selecting cells based on specific marker combinations (e.g., CD24 medium expression with CD49f positive and EpCAM negative), the process achieves high purity through precise parameter-based discrimination between cell types.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing and/or isolating a cell population, which is enriched in lactating cells This method comprises a step of providing milk or mammary tissue, selecting a cell population comprising lactating cells based on specific cell markers, and obtaining said cell population being enriched in lactating cells. The present invention further refers to a cell culture comprising said lactating cells in an amount of at least 65% based on the total cells of the cell culture, and wherein the lactating cells are characterized by a specifically defined cell marker status. The present invention further refers to a container comprising said cell culture, as well as to a method of in vitro milk production, comprising the steps of providing and cultivating the cell population of the present invention, and harvesting the milk product.