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Fabrication of Myogenic Engineered Tissue Constructs
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Biofabrication's Contribution to the Evolution of Cultured Meat
Franziska Brigitte Albrecht1, Tilman Ahlfeld2, Annemarie Klatt1
1Reutlingen University, Reutlingen Research Institute, 72762, Reutlingen, Germany.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|February 10, 2024
Summary
Cultured meat (CM) production uses tissue engineering and biofabrication to create meat alternatives. Advancements in materials and methods are key to overcoming challenges in scaling up CM production for environmental benefits.
Area of Science:
- Cellular agriculture
- Tissue engineering
- Biofabrication
Background:
- Conventional meat production significantly impacts climate change and land use.
- Rising demand for meat alternatives fuels research in cellular agriculture.
- Cultured meat (CM) production addresses environmental concerns by using in vitro cell culturing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in biofabrication technologies for cultured meat (CM) production.
- To discuss novel materials for edible and healthful CM.
- To examine current limitations and future challenges in large-scale CM manufacturing.
Main Methods:
- Focus on biomedical biofabrication techniques for muscle and adipose tissue.
- Exploration of robotics and advanced manufacturing in CM production.
- Review of innovative, edible materials for CM.
Main Results:
- Biofabrication offers precise control over cellular structure in CM.
- Novel materials enhance the edibility and nutritional profile of CM.
- Current CM production is limited to small-scale pilot facilities.
Conclusions:
- Scaling up CM production requires overcoming challenges in cell mass generation and processing.
- Biofabrication is crucial for developing structured, meat-like products.
- Further research into advanced manufacturing and materials is essential for commercializing CM.
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