Methods and systems for in-vitro milk production

Abstract

The disclosure relates to methods, systems and compositions for use in the production of milk. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to systems, compositions and methods for in-vitro production of milk using an array of mammary organoids seeded on tertiary-branched, resilient duct scaffolding.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A system for in-vitro production of milk components comprising:
 a. hollow tubes coated with mammary epithelial cells;   b. a nutrient supply reservoir operable to feed said mammary epithelial cells;   c. a collection module for collecting said milk components produced by said mammary epithelial cells, such that milk components produced by said mammary epithelial cells are not in contact with nutrient stream from said nutrient supply reservoir.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said milk components collection module further comprises a vacuum source. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said mammary epithelial cells are embedded in a gel. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said gel is comprised of a composition comprising between about 50% (v/v) and about 70% (v/v) laminin, between about 20% (v/v) and about 40% (v/v) collagen, and between about 5% (v/v) and 10% (v/v) of nidogen. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said mammary epithelial cells comprise post-parturition mammary epithelium cells. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said nutrient supply reservoir comprises at least one of:
 a first sub-reservoir with a composition comprising effective concentration of estrogen and progesterone;   a second sub-reservoir with a composition comprising lactation medium;   a third sub-reservoir with a composition comprising growth factor medium; and   a fourth sub-reservoir with a composition comprising contraction medium.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprises a housing operable to maintain controlled atmosphere for said mammary epithelial cells. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said mammary epithelial cells form multicellular structures comprising luminal cells and myoepithelial cells and wherein said luminal cells are adhered to the hollow tubes. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said tubes are branched tubes. 
     
     
         27 . A method of producing milk components, implementable in the system of  claim 18 , the method comprising:
 using said nutrient supply reservoir, contacting the mammary cells with nutrients; and   using said milk components collection module, collecting said milk components secreted by said mammary cells.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein each tube of said hollow tubes is selectably removable from said system. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said milk components collection module further comprises a vacuum source. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said mammary epithelial cells are embedded in a gel. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said mammary epithelial cells comprise post-parturition mammary epithelium cells. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said nutrient supply reservoir comprises at least one of:
 a first sub-reservoir with a composition comprising effective concentration of estrogen and progesterone;   a second sub-reservoir with a composition comprising lactation medium;   a third sub-reservoir with a composition comprising growth factor medium; and   a fourth sub-reservoir with a composition comprising contraction medium.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprises a housing operable to maintain controlled atmosphere for said mammary epithelial cells. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 ,
 wherein said mammary epithelial cells form multicellular structures comprising luminal cells and myoepithelial cells and wherein said luminal cells are adhered to the hollow tubes.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said tubes are branched tubes.