How Cultivated Meat Is Made
Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown or cell-based meat, is made by taking a small sample of animal cells and growing them in a controlled environment, such as a laboratory or a bioreactor. The process of making cultivated meat involves several steps:
Isolation of cells: The first step in making cultivated meat is to obtain cells from an animal. This can be done through a small biopsy, or by using cells that have been previously isolated and cultured in a laboratory.
Cultivation of cells: Once the cells have been obtained, they are placed in a growth medium that provides the necessary nutrients and growth factors for the cells to proliferate. The cells are typically grown in a bioreactor, which is a controlled environment that allows the cells to grow and divide.
Differentiation of cells: As the cells grow and divide, they will eventually form small clusters or spheroids. At this stage, the cells can be induced to differentiate or change into specific cell types, such as muscle or fat cells.
Formation of muscle tissue: The muscle cells can then be combined with other cell types, such as fibroblasts, to form muscle tissue. This tissue can be grown in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the desired end product.
Harvesting and processing: Once the muscle tissue has reached a certain size and thickness, it can be harvested and processed into the final cultivated meat product. This may involve shaping the tissue into the desired form and adding any additional ingredients or seasonings.