Establishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat

Abstract This study presents a blueprint for developing, scaling, and analyzing novel insect cell lines for food. The large-scale production of cultivated meat requires the development and analysis of cell lines that are simple to grow and easy to scale. Insect cells may be a favorable cell source d...

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Main Authors: Sophia M. Letcher, Olivia P. Calkins, Halla J. Clausi, Aidan McCreary, Barry A. Trimmer, David L. Kaplan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86921-z
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author Sophia M. Letcher
Olivia P. Calkins
Halla J. Clausi
Aidan McCreary
Barry A. Trimmer
David L. Kaplan
author_facet Sophia M. Letcher
Olivia P. Calkins
Halla J. Clausi
Aidan McCreary
Barry A. Trimmer
David L. Kaplan
author_sort Sophia M. Letcher
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study presents a blueprint for developing, scaling, and analyzing novel insect cell lines for food. The large-scale production of cultivated meat requires the development and analysis of cell lines that are simple to grow and easy to scale. Insect cells may be a favorable cell source due to their robust growth properties, adaptability to different culture conditions, and resiliency in culture. Cells were isolated from Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) embryos and subsequently adapted to single-cell suspension culture in animal-free growth media. Cells were able to reach relatively high cell densities of over 20 million cells per mL in shake flasks. Cell growth data is presented in various culture vessels and spent media analysis was performed to better understand cell metabolic processes. Finally, a preliminary nutritional profile consisting of proximate, amino acid, mineral, and fatty acid analysis is reported.
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spelling doaj-art-13cd75a63a6942aab093da7d4de596d52025-08-20T03:05:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-86921-zEstablishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meatSophia M. Letcher0Olivia P. Calkins1Halla J. Clausi2Aidan McCreary3Barry A. Trimmer4David L. Kaplan5Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts UniversityDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tufts UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Tufts UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts UniversityAbstract This study presents a blueprint for developing, scaling, and analyzing novel insect cell lines for food. The large-scale production of cultivated meat requires the development and analysis of cell lines that are simple to grow and easy to scale. Insect cells may be a favorable cell source due to their robust growth properties, adaptability to different culture conditions, and resiliency in culture. Cells were isolated from Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) embryos and subsequently adapted to single-cell suspension culture in animal-free growth media. Cells were able to reach relatively high cell densities of over 20 million cells per mL in shake flasks. Cell growth data is presented in various culture vessels and spent media analysis was performed to better understand cell metabolic processes. Finally, a preliminary nutritional profile consisting of proximate, amino acid, mineral, and fatty acid analysis is reported.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86921-zInsect cell cultureCellular agricultureCultured meatCultivated meatNutritionSuspension culture
spellingShingle Sophia M. Letcher
Olivia P. Calkins
Halla J. Clausi
Aidan McCreary
Barry A. Trimmer
David L. Kaplan
Establishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat
Scientific Reports
Insect cell culture
Cellular agriculture
Cultured meat
Cultivated meat
Nutrition
Suspension culture
title Establishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat
title_full Establishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat
title_fullStr Establishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat
title_full_unstemmed Establishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat
title_short Establishment & characterization of a non-adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat
title_sort establishment characterization of a non adherent insect cell line for cultivated meat
topic Insect cell culture
Cellular agriculture
Cultured meat
Cultivated meat
Nutrition
Suspension culture
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86921-z
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