Key Takeaways
- Prolific Machines utilizes optogenetics, using light to control cellular functions, offering a cost-effective and sterile alternative to traditional methods.
- The company focuses on genetically engineered light-sensitive proteins to achieve precise control over cellular processes for biomanufacturing.
- While initially targeting cultivated meat, Prolific has shifted focus to therapeutic proteins due to market potential, while still prioritizing cultivated meat in its future plans.
Innovative Approach to Cellular Control
Prolific Machines, based in California, is revolutionizing biomanufacturing by harnessing optogenetics to control cell functions using light instead of expensive growth factors and other additives. According to CEO Dr. Deniz Kent, this technique provides “unprecedented cellular control,” as highlighted during recent discussions at the Future Food-Tech summit in San Francisco.
Dr. Kent, a stem cell biologist and co-founder of Prolific Machines, expressed that traditional methods of manipulating cells through chemical or biological agents have been fraught with issues, including high costs and risks of contamination. For instance, growth factors necessary for processes such as stem cell cultivation and gene therapy can be prohibitively expensive and inconsistent, leading to reproducibility challenges. In contrast, light is a more economical, sterile, and easily controlled medium that can be precisely applied spatially and temporally.
The core mechanism of Prolific’s technology involves attaching light-sensitive proteins—of which there are thousands—to specific targets inside cells. This process allows for targeted control over cellular activities without affecting the overall system. “You can perturb one part of it without perturbing the entire system,” Kent explained. The method is comprised of three key components: the attachment of light-sensitive proteins, hardware that integrates seamlessly with existing bioreactor systems, and an AI algorithm that optimizes light patterns based on real-time data from the bioreactors.
These innovations contribute to the development of “driverless bioreactors,” where the need for human intervention in managing cell culture media is minimized, potentially lowering operational costs significantly. The application of this technology could greatly simplify the biomanufacturing process, creating a direct communication channel between bioreactors and cells.
Initially, Prolific Machines aimed to explore cultivated meat production. However, the focus has shifted towards therapeutic proteins due to their high market value. “You can sell them for thousands of dollars per milligram,” Dr. Kent noted, highlighting the financial viability of this focus. The company has already tested its technology by successfully growing meat using light, producing over 30 meatballs without reliance on growth factors, proving the concept feasible.
Despite the current emphasis on therapeutics, Dr. Kent firmly believes in the future of cultivated meat, stating that it remains an essential part of their long-term objectives. He founded Prolific with the vision of ending animal exploitation for food and scientific purposes, a commitment that continues to drive their innovation.
The advancements from Prolific Machines present both an opportunity for cost reduction and higher precision in biomanufacturing, particularly in the production of therapeutic proteins and in the pursuit of cultivated meat as a sustainable alternative to traditional animal farming. This pioneering work positions Prolific Machines at the forefront of biomanufacturing innovation, with the potential to transform several industries.
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