A research group at Juntendo University has now evaluated the characteristics of cells isolated from domestic animals (cattle) and revealed that CD29 (Ha2 / 5) -positive cells derived from bovine skeletal muscle have particularly high proliferative and self-aggregating abilities. bottom. When CD29 (Ha2 / 5) -positive cells were cultured, they self-aggregated in about 24 hours and constructed a three-dimensional cell aggregate (spheroid) with a diameter of about 500 μm.

　By inducing the differentiation of this spheroid into muscle and fat, "meat buds", which are the basis of cultured meat, containing both muscle components and mature fat granules were formed.We named this Meat Bud and tried to form it by embedding a large number of them in collagen gel for scale-up. As a result, the fusion and proliferation of Meat Bud and the aggregation of gel proceeded, and finally a structure with a diameter of about 1.5 cm was formed. I succeeded in doing so.It is estimated that 100 x 21 cells can be obtained from 7.75 g of beef in 1013 days using this technology, which may lead to the development of sustainable cultured meat.

　If the results of this research can be developed and mass culture technology can be established, it is expected that the commercialization of cultured meat will be approached.Not only that, but with this technology, muscle and fat components can be freely designed, so it has the potential to be applied not only as cultured meat as edible meat, but also as a nutritional functional food for patients with diseases and athletes. The research group thinks that there is also.

Paper information:[Cells] Isolation and characterization of Tissue Resident CD29-Positive Progenitor Cells in Livestock to Generate a Three-Dimensional Meat Bud