Key Takeaways
- Vow has created a meatball using protein derived from the woolly mammoth’s myoglobin gene sequence.
- The project involved generating over 20 billion cells and utilized sheep cells for cultivation.
- This achievement aims to spark conversation about the potential of cultivated meat from extinct species.
Innovative Approach to Cultivated Meat
At the Smart Kitchen Summit, Nathan Myhrvold discussed the intriguing potential of recreating meat from long-extinct animals, including dinosaurs. While this vision is not yet realized, Australian startup Vow has taken a significant step forward by creating a meatball using protein derived from the woolly mammoth’s myoglobin gene. This protein is key to the color and flavor of meat.
The announcement came through a blog post by Vow’s founder, George Peppou. He detailed the extensive process involved in creating the mammoth meatball. The project required generating more than 20 billion cells across an area exceeding 100 square meters—comparable to the space of a local café.
In partnership with Professor Ernst Wolvetang from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering at the University of Queensland, Vow utilized a publicly available database to locate the gene sequence for mammoth myoglobin. Any existing gaps were filled using the gene sequence from the African elephant, the woolly mammoth’s nearest living relative. The mammoth myoglobin gene was then inserted into sheep cells, which were cultivated to produce the innovative mammoth meatball.
While the achievement is remarkable, it raises questions about public perception. Some may view the recreation of meat from an animal that ceased to exist a million years ago as unsettling. Conversely, this breakthrough could help demonstrate the value and potential of cultivated meat technology, attracting both supporters and skeptics.
Regardless of individual reactions, Vow aims for this project to serve as a conversation starter regarding the possibilities of cultivated meat, exploring avenues that intrigue and challenge conventional thinking about food production.
An image of a woolly mammoth from Quagga Wildlife art is included, used under a creative commons license.
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