SYNTHETIC MEAT
Examples of methods, systems and computer accessible mediums related to producing synthetic meat are generally described herein. In some example methods, a substrate configured to support cell growth may be provided. The substrate may be seeded with cells. The seeded substrate may be rolled through a bioreactor having a roll-to-roll mechanism, thereby allowing nutrients and growth factors to interact with the cells. The seeded substrate may be stretched to simulate muscle action. The seeded substrate may be monitored for uniformity of cell growth as it is rolled through the bioreactor. A film of synthetic meat is obtained from the substrate.
1 . A method for producing synthetic meat on an industrial scale, comprising:
configuring a substrate to support cell growth;
seeding the substrate with cells;
rolling the seeded substrate into a bioreactor having a roll-to-roll mechanism thereby allowing nutrients and growth factors to interact with the cells;
stimulating the seeded substrate in the bioreactor to simulate muscle action;
monitoring the seeded substrate as it is being rolled in the bioreactor for uniformity of cell growth; and
obtaining a film of synthetic meat from the substrate.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing nutrients to the seeded substrate.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a porous polymer substrate.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein stimulating the seeded substrate comprises stretching the seeded substrate.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the stretching comprises stretching at predetermined periods of time to simulate muscle action.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding a texture to the film of synthetic meat.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding a flavor to the film of synthetic meat.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising separating the film of synthetic meat from the substrate.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the separating occurs while rolling the seeded substrate into the bioreactor by disintegration of the substrate.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the separating comprises dissolution by acid or base.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the separating comprises using an enzymatic cleavage process.
12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising assembling the synthetic meat.
13 . The method of claim 1 wherein the rolling of the seeded substrate through the bioreactor comprises nutrating the seeded substrate.
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising cooking the synthetic meat.
15 . A system for producing synthetic meat, comprising:
a roll-to-roll perfusion bioreactor configured to receive a seeded substrate and apply a fluid to the seeded substrate such that the seeded substrate forms a thin film of synthetic meat;
a flavoring station configured to treat the synthetic meat received from the roll-to-roll perfusion bioreactor;
an assembly station configured to receive the treated synthetic meat from the flavoring station, wherein the treated synthetic meat is at least one of cut, packaged, or prepared for shipping at the assembly station; and
a computer operably associated with the bioreactor and configured to assess uniformity of cell growth on the seeded substrate and configured to control a rate of progress of the seeded substrate through the bioreactor based at least on the assessed uniformity of cell growth.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the computer is configured to control temperature in the bioreactor.
17 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a substrate.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the substrate comprises a porous polymer sheet.
19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the flavoring station is configured to impart one or more of flavor and/or texture to the synthetic meat.
20 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a separation station configured to receive the synthetic meat from the bioreactor and separate the synthetic meat from the substrate.
21 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a monitor configured to monitor thin film growth on the seeded substrate, wherein the monitor is adapted to communicate with the processor.
22 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a mechanism for stretching the seeded substrate using a set of rolls.
23 . A computer-accessible medium containing executable instructions thereon, wherein when a processor executes the instructions, the processor is configured to:
roll a seeded substrate into a bioreactor having a roll-to-roll mechanism, thereby allowing nutrients and growth factors to interact with the cells;
stretch the seeded substrate to simulate muscle action;
monitor the seeded substrate as it is being rolled in the bioreactor for uniformity of cell growth; and
obtain a film of synthetic meat from the substrate.
24 . The computer-accessible medium of claim 23 wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions relating to rate of progress of the seeded substrate through the bioreactor.