Beyond the petri dish: fish cell lines pioneering advances in biotechnology, genetic engineering, toxicity and disease solutions

Adoption of cell culture technologies presents chances to address problems related to traditional aquaculture methods, such as disease outbreaks, habitat degradation, and overfishing. Cell culture systems provide fine control over growth conditions, reducing the amount of resources used and waste generated. Understanding cell properties, including species origin, cell type, and culture status, is crucial for effective and safe cell culturing. Zebrafish and medaka, as model organisms, offer advantages such as high fecundity, transparent embryos, and rapid maturity, making them ideal for genetic studies. Since the RTG-2 cell line from rainbow trout was established in 1962, fish cell lines from various tissues have been developed for research in virology, toxicology, and other biomedical fields. Characterization techniques include RAPD, microsatellite DNA profiling, and mitochondrial rRNA analysis. Fish cell lines are pivotal in viral disease research, toxicology, and intracellular pathogen studies. However, comprehensive characterization and genetic engineering of these lines remain limited. Advances in cell immortalization using telomerase and viral oncogenes enable continuous proliferation and genetic stability. Established cell lines from tissues such as skin, gill, muscle, heart, liver, and kidney have diverse research applications. Notable uses include studying viral diseases in salmonids, cellular processes in gill cells, and chemical cytotoxicity. Further development and characterization of fish cell lines will advance vertebrate biology and biomedical research.