how it works

The production of milk within the mammary

gland is an elegantly orchestrated process that

converts food from the mother’s environment

into food for her young. Despite the dramatic

differences in scale and the high level of

compositional variability of milks across

mammalian species, the physiology that underlies

the process of milk production is remarkably consistent. 

During pregnancy, milk-making cells (called mammary epithelial cells) multiply in number dramatically in preparation for lactation. When the baby is born, shifts in the mother's blood chemistry trigger

the onset of milk production—we're in awe!

The Making of Mammalian Milk

We are currently in the first trimester of product development, working diligently to bring this product to life—ensuring tip top safety is our top priority when nourishing tiny humans.

If you're interested in getting involved, we're always looking for new breast friends. 

a note from our co-founder and Chief Science Officer

"Here's a bit on my background (nerd alert!): 

The molecular mechanics used by all animal cells to control

physical behaviors in space and time are fundamental at an

evolutionary level and highly conserved across species. As a

Ph.D. student, I researched sea urchin eggs as a model system to

learn about how the events of cell division are spatially and

temporally coordinated. The eggs of sea urchins are large,

spherical, and optically transparent, so with the right microscope,

you can watch the machinery of cell division assemble and divide

the cell in two—so beautiful!

Milk biosynthesis is a secretory process that, similarly to cell division, requires spatial orientation of the cell and coordination of multiple structures to ensure that components are delivered to the appropriate location at the appropriate time, and our process leverages these fundamental aspects of cell biology.

While feeding my son at the end of my post-doc it was clear that there was world-changing potential in harnessing my scientific understanding of cells and the evolutionary powerhouses of the human body—mammary cells—to make milk for millions of mothers in need!"

Leila Strickland