Effects of serum, culture platform and donor's age on proliferation and differentiation of bovine adipose-derived stem cells
Author
Szalek, Anna Maria
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-05-31
Abstract
The rising demand for sustainable protein has increased interest in cultivated meat. A key challenge is growing adipose (fat) tissue, which drives flavor, texture, and nutrition. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are promising because they can both multiply and become fat cells (adipocytes). This study examined how serum-free media, 3D culture models, and donor age affect the growth (proliferation) and development (differentiation) of bovine ADSCs. Cells were isolated from two donors (a 7-year-old cow and a calf) and grown with and without serum. Several 3D setups were tested, including microcarriers—tiny beads that cells can grow on. The study confirmed successful isolation and characterization of the bovine ADSCs. Serum-free media supported the highest cell growth. Among 3D models, microcarriers performed best for proliferation. In contrast, limitations meant that differentiation results were inconclusive. Overall, these findings highlight conditions that help expand bovine fat stem cells for cultivated fat, while further work is needed to achieve reliable maturation into fat tissue.
Efterspørgslen efter mere bæredygtige proteiner har øget interessen for dyrket kød. En stor udfordring er at dyrke fedtvæv, som er vigtigt for kødets smag, tekstur og ernæringsværdi. Stamceller fra fedtvæv (adipose-derived stem cells, ADSCs) er lovende, fordi de både kan dele sig og udvikle sig til fedtceller (adipocytter). Denne undersøgelse vurderede, hvordan serumfrit dyrkningsmedium, 3D-kulturmodeller og donorens alder påvirker vækst (proliferation) og udvikling (differentiering) af bovine ADSCs. Celler blev isoleret fra to dyr (en 7-årig ko og en kalv) og dyrket med og uden serum. Der blev undersøgt flere 3D-opsætninger, herunder mikrobærere (små perler, som celler kan vokse på). Vi bekræftede vellykket isolation og karakterisering af de bovine ADSCs. Serumfrit medium gav den højeste cellevækst. Blandt 3D-modellerne var mikrobærere bedst til at understøtte proliferation. Resultater for differentiering kunne derimod ikke konkluderes på grund af begrænsninger i studiet. Samlet peger fundene på betingelser, der kan fremme opformering af bovine fedtstamceller til dyrket fedt, men yderligere arbejde er nødvendigt for at opnå pålidelig modning til fedtvæv.
[This abstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords