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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.04.27.720974

Multi-omics Characterization of Duck Embryonic Stem Cells for Cultivated Meat

Kusters, R.·Mathieu, T.·Kamgang Nzekoue, F.·Manzati, M.·Palma, J.·Chun, B.·Lester, H.
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Abstract

Industrializing cultivated meat requires cell lines with high proliferative capacity, genetic stability, and suspension adaptability. We present a comprehensive multi-omics framework, integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, to characterize a commercial duck Embryonic Stem Cell (dESC) line. Our analysis demonstrates continuous proliferation in protein-free suspension media while maintaining a stable genome and a functional conserved transcriptome. Broad-scale transcriptomics confirms the absence of hazardous pathway activation, and targeted assays verify sustained pluripotency marker expression during scale-up. Compositional analysis reveals a low-fat biomass containing all nine essential amino acids with an amino acid profile comparable to conventional duck meat. Furthermore, proteomic profiling demonstrates inter-batch reproducibility and protein distributions comparable to duck breast and liver. This study provides the first detailed molecular characterization of a commercial cultivated meat cell line, establishing a reference for the stability and safety assessment of future cultivated meat cell lines.

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Kusters, R., Mathieu, T., Kamgang Nzekoue, F., Manzati, M., Palma, J., Chun, B., Lester, H.. 2026-05-01. Multi-omics Characterization of Duck Embryonic Stem Cells for Cultivated Meat. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.27.720974

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