Emerging Applications and Approaches Using Fish Cell Lines

Fish cell lines have emerged as indispensable tools in modern science, serving as the foundation for versatile New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). These in vitro systems are critical to advancing research across multiple disciplines, including basic fish biology, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and toxicology. By capturing complex physiological processes in a controlled environment, fish cell lines allow researchers to study cellular responses, host-pathogen interactions, and contaminant dynamics without the ethical and logistical constraints of in vivo testing. This Research Topic aims to highlight the diverse applications of fish cell lines while addressing the technical innovations required to elevate their physiological relevance and reproducibility.To unlock the full potential of these in vitro models, the scientific community must address current culture limitations. A primary challenge is the heavy reliance on fetal bovine serum, which introduces batch-to-batch variability and conflicts with the ethical goals of animal-free research. Transitioning to serum-free culture conditions is essential for standardizing assays and aligning with modern toxicological frameworks. Furthermore, this collection seeks to promote the development of specialized, cell-line-specific media formulated with recombinant fish proteins. Utilizing homologous proteins rather than mammalian supplements provides a more physiologically relevant and sustainable environment, ensuring that cellular behaviors closely mimic those of their in vivo counterparts.We welcome submissions of original research, reviews, and methodological papers that expand the application or optimize the culture of fish cell lines. Relevant themes include:- Innovative applications of fish cell lines in ecotoxicology, aquaculture, and basic physiology.- Development, optimization, and validation of serum-free or chemically defined media.- Formulation of species-specific media utilizing recombinant fish proteins.- Comparative studies evaluating the performance of cell lines in standard versus physiologically relevant conditions.- High-throughput screening assays and predictive in vitro models. Topic editors: Bianka Grunow, Stina Oredsson, Tilo Weber, Atena Malakpour-Permlid, Jessica Rosolowski Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83688/emerging-applications-and-approaches-using-fish-cell-lines