Prolific Machines uses light to encourage cells to grow. semiconductors that are at the heart of every smartphone, laptop and gaming Working in a specially lit biosafety cabinet. system, so it is already being produced at large scale. And Prolific Machines can retrofit bioreactors with hardware so the technology can be incorporated into existing infrastructure at cultivat-ed meat or other biotech firms. “We want to make this technology available to anyone who wants to use it,” Kent says. “I don’t see other cul-tured meat companies as competitors. I see them all as future customers.” Finally, Prolific Machines uses soft-ware to monitor and signal cell growth. window — so we already consume them and know they are safe, Kent notes. Next, Prolific Machines outfits bio-reactors with lights to illuminate cells. “The hardware can look different depending on what you’re trying to do, but we typically use LED lights,” Kent says. “There are some cases where you would use a laser. And different colors can do different things so you can use different colored lights to get orthogo-nal control.” Kent notes that this light-based technology is already being used in the Machine learning allows companies to collect real time data on how the cells are growing and fine tune the light patterns to optimize growth. “By building cells that are light sensitive and machines that can make light, you create this shared language 20 Alt-Meat August 2025
Alt-Meat August 2025: Page 20
