Innovative stem cell counting brings new potential for cultivated meat production

Asymmetrex recently highlighted the role of its differential stem cell counting technology in advancing cultured meat production at The Good Food Institute’s (GFI) monthly industry forum. Dr James L. Sherley, President & CEO, shared insights on how accurately counting tissue stem cells could address key challenges in both regenerative medicine and the cultured meat industry.

Dr Sherley opened by underscoring the importance of tissue stem cells, which can divide indefinitely outside the body, for both therapeutic and food production purposes. “Whether you’re producing cells for therapies or natural animal cells for consumption, the presence and viability of tissue stem cells are vital,” he explained. This foundational concept shapes Asymmetrex’s technology, designed to count tissue stem cells with precision—a key factor for success in applications ranging from cell-based therapies to sustainable food systems.

Since its founding, Asymmetrex has focused on enhancing stem cell applications, especially within regenerative medicine. Its differential stem cell counting technology emerged as a response to dosage challenges in cell therapies, where conventional cell counts often fall short. For example, the widely-used CD34 count, aimed at estimating blood stem cell doses, can significantly overestimate actual stem cell quantities. This discrepancy can lead to treatment failures and pose risks to stem cell donors. Asymmetrex’s method isolates tissue stem cells from other cell types, providing a more precise count, which is crucial for both safety and efficacy in stem cell treatments.

In cultured meat production, this precision offers potential solutions for a different set of challenges. Cultured meat requires reliable cell lines that can proliferate consistently over time in bioreactors. As production cultures expand, maintaining viable tissue stem cell numbers is critical to prevent exhaustion—a significant barrier for sustainable cell production. Dr Sherley explained that Asymmetrex’s differential stem cell counting could help optimize cell maintenance in bioreactors, potentially making cultured meat production more efficient.

The company already provides free access to online differential stem cell counting calculators for specific human stem cells, supporting various medical and research applications. Now, as Asymmetrex deepens its involvement with the cultured meat industry, it plans to develop similar calculators tailored to the needs of farm animal tissue stem cells. This adaptation could assist food tech companies in accurately assessing stem cell viability and division rates in animal cell cultures, which are crucial for cost-effective, scalable production of cultured meat.

Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Asymmetrex is also developing an automated differential stem cell counter, set for release in 2026. This device aims to streamline the tissue stem cell quantification process, making it accessible for more routine application in both medical and food production settings.

GFI’s monthly forums provide a collaborative space where industry professionals can discuss technological advancements in the pursuit of a sustainable food system. Dr. Sherley’s presentation emphasized how bridging stem cell technology with food production could address core industry needs. With cultured meat production still in its early stages, innovations like Asymmetrex’s differential stem cell counting could play an essential role in refining cell culture methods and scaling production.

Asymmetrex’s entrance into the food technology arena reflects an ongoing shift, where scientific breakthroughs in healthcare increasingly find applications in the food industry. By repurposing its core technology for cultured meat production, the company hopes to contribute to a future where cell-based foods offer a viable alternative to traditional meat sources, aligning with GFI’s mission to foster a secure, equitable food system.

Looking forward, Asymmetrex’s evolving role in the cultured meat industry may set a precedent for other biotech firms seeking to expand their impact. As both regenerative medicine and food production continue to evolve, technologies like differential stem cell counting offer valuable cross-sector applications, underscoring the importance of precision and efficiency in cell-based innovations.