Studies Uncovering Novel Factors for Skeletal Muscle Health

Cultured meat (also cultivated, cell-based, or lab-grown meat) is a product of the growing sector of cellular agriculture (Cell Ag), a nascent, industry-driven field that shows tremendous economic and environmental promise in contributing to a reduced carbon footprint of Canada’s agri-food system. Briefly, cells from minimally invasive biopsies are isolated from livestock and amplified in bioreactors, then seeded in scaffolds to produce a meat-like product (or without scaffolding as a ground meat mixture). A recent lifecycle analysis of a cultured meat patty produced by SciFi Foods in the United States shows a remarkable reduction in green house gas emissions, energy demand, and land and water use compared to conventional beef. The basic cultured meat workflow and the projected environmental benefits are outlined below.  Within the cultured meat industry, several approaches exist for the starting cell population including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and myosatellite cells (MSCs). However, differences between them (and within them) will significantly impact downstream variables, including the efficiency and scalability of the production system (resulting in greater environmental impact with increased greenhouse gas emissions). Unfortunately, academic research in the field, critical to establishing a scientific evidence base for the technologies involved, is lacking.  Scientific analysis is critical for assessment of product safety, measurement of green house gas emissions reduction, and the establishment of industry and regulatory standards. Furthermore, several significant technological challenges remain to bring cultured meat products to scalable production, and its viability in the global and regional markets is poorly understood.  At the LEMuR, we are particularly focused on addressing these challenges of discovery and validation of novel cell populations that may prove most effective within the cultured meat industry.