2.2 Agent/cell-based models
A different kind of modeling is that of agent-based models. This kind of
modeling is typically used for systems where it is easy to discern and
divide a system into sub-parts or subsystems (called agents) that follow
explicit behavioral rules. Since there are numerous discrete subsystems
and a potentially vast number of interactions among such subsystems, it
becomes challenging or unfeasible to write down a mathematical set of
equations governing the entire system. The agents in such a system can
typically be represented as relatively simple entities. Examples of this
are individual people in a crowd, birds in a flock, or cells in a Petri
dish. In each case, every agent interacts with other agents following
some specified set of rules, although such interactions typically
involve only a small number of “neighbors” of an agent, such as birds
interacting only with nearby birds.
3. Cultivated meat modeling consortium
We have articulated (1) an urgent need for alternatives to animal
agriculture, (2) the potential of cultivated meat to satisfy that need,
(3) the steps common to most cultivated meat processes and (4) the
capacity of computational modeling to accelerate the optimization of
process steps and product outcomes, thus mitigating efficiency
challenges.
To connect the dots, Biocellion SPC hosted a meeting on June 5-7, 2019,
in Seattle, Washington, where attendees included the Biocellion team,
cultivated meat company representatives, academic researchers from
related fields, students from multiple disciplines, investors, and
industry experts. The meeting intention was to begin the process of
developing a computer model platform for use by cultivated meat
companies and researchers. The platform would enable companies to bring
cultivated meat to market more quickly and at a lower cost by reducing
the need for laboratory experiments. The on site meeting was preceded by
a series of virtual meetings (starting in May, 2019) with individual
participants and the Biocellion team. The goal of the June meeting was
to initiate a conversation between stakeholders in various fields, and
to begin to establish an early stage consortium. The purpose of the
nascent group is to i) develop a multiscale modeling framework for
cultivated meat manufacturing, and ii) outline the first steps of
developing the model framework that require immediate action.