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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
An Efficient Method to Obtain Dedifferentiated Fat Cells
Published on: July 15, 2016
Alternative fat: redefining adipocytes for biomanufacturing cultivated meat
Shigeki Sugii1, Cheryl Yeh Qi Wong2, Angela Khin Oo Lwin2
1Bioengineering Systems Division, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging (IBB), A*STAR, 31 Biopolis Way #07-01, Singapore 138669; Current address: Cell Biology and Therapies Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive #07-04 Proteos, Singapore 138673; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857.
Cellular agriculture offers sustainable meat alternatives by cultivating fat cells (adipocytes). This review details methods for producing alternative fat from livestock and seafood, addressing key challenges for future biomanufacturing.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Biotechnology
- Food Science
Background:
- Cellular agriculture aims to produce sustainable cultivated meat alternatives.
- Adipose tissue (fat) is crucial for meat's sensory and nutritional qualities.
- Current research on cultivating adipocytes from agricultural species for food is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review protocols for generating and analyzing adipose progenitors from various agricultural species.
- To summarize recent advancements in alternative fat biomanufacturing.
- To identify key scientific questions and challenges in producing cultivated fat.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of existing protocols for adipose progenitor generation and analysis.
- Review of scientific literature on adipocyte biology and cultivation.
- Identification of challenges in isolating, producing, and incorporating alternative fats.
Main Results:
- Established protocols exist for adipose progenitor generation from livestock and seafood.
- Significant knowledge gaps remain in optimizing adipocyte production for food applications.
- The review synthesizes current understanding and highlights areas for future research.
Conclusions:
- Advancing the biomanufacture of alternative fat requires addressing specific scientific and technical challenges.
- Further research is needed to effectively isolate, produce, and integrate cultivated adipocytes into food products.
- Cellular agriculture holds promise for sustainable protein production through cultivated fat development.
