Using machine learning to improve fish growth media

2020-2021

Dr. Ovissipour at Virginia Tech is applying machine learning techniques to develop and optimize low-cost serum free growth media for seafood cell lines.

PRODUCTION PLATFORM: Cultivated

TECHNOLOGY SECTOR:  Cell culture media

Gfi's competitive research grants program badge, featuring a whole cut of meat within a magnifying glass representing research

Project aims

This project uses Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Networks to produce an optimized media formulation for culturing stem cells from fish. It also creates predictive models that will guide and hasten future media optimization efforts.

This work will produce optimized media formulations that accelerate future research on cultivated seafood. It will also inform future efforts to optimize media for different species and cell types.

Principal researchers

Headshot of gfi grantee dr. Reza ovissipour, assistant professor, virginia tech, usa

Dr. Reza Ovissipour

Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech, USA

Dr. Ovissipour has extensive experience in both conventional aquaculture and the use of mathematical modeling techniques for optimization.

Headshot of gfi grantee inayat batish, phd student, virginia tech, usa

Inayat Batish

PhD student, Virginia Tech, USA

Inayat Batish has a background in cell culture research and mathematical modeling.

Headshot of gfi grantee thet aung, msc student, virginia tech, usa

Thet Aung

MSc student, Virginia Tech, USA

Thet Aung has a background in food science and sustainability.

Headshot of gfi grantee dr. Lexi duscher, postdoctoral associate, virginia tech, usa

Dr. Lexi Duscher

Postdoctoral Associate, Virginia Tech, USA

A school of fish swimming along a reef underwater

Page

Sustainable Seafood Initiative

Learn how plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated seafood can improve the health and sustainability of oceans.

View related grant projects

Rainbow representations of protein structures for a cultured meat concept

Lowering the cost of growth factors

Learn about Dr. Peter Stogios’ research engineering improved and lower-cost growth factors for cultivated meat at University of Toronto.

A redfish is swimming in the grass flats ocean

Seafood cell lines

Learn about Dr. Kevan Main and Dr. Cathy Walsh’s work at Mote Marine Laboratory to develop cell lines and methodology for cultivated seafood.

An abstract field of white molecular models

Formulating media with macromolecular crowding

Learn about Dr. Connon and Dr. Gouveia’s work at Newcastle University, UK to formulate growth media for cultivated meat with macromolecular crowding.

Explore research opportunities

  • Cultivated icon Cultivated

Mapping animal cell metabolism to optimize media formulation

The cost and environmental impact of cultivated meat are driven by the cell culture media formulation and its conversion efficiency into meat. Metabolic modeling and engineering techniques can aid media…

Read more
  • Cultivated icon Cultivated
  • Fermentation icon Fermentation

Consumer education on the food safety of cultivated meat

Consumer education on the food safety of cultivated meat can positively impact consumer acceptance when sufficient information is provided. Additional research and efforts to increase transparent science communication on the…

Read more
  • Cultivated icon Cultivated

Ensuring appropriate food safety controls for cultivated meat

Sterilization guidelines from well-established biomedical and food industries can act as helpful templates for safe cultivated meat production. However, more research is needed to identify potentially novel production hazards for…

Read more

Crashing waves from above

Resource

Action paper: An ocean of opportunity

This action paper explores alternative seafood’s role in creating a sustainable, secure, and just food system.