Advances in fish cell reprogramming and Differentiation: A pathway to alternative proteins

For decades, fish have been used as valuable models and innovative targets for cell reprogramming technologies, as their tissue regenerative capacity and physiological cell features make them a promising tool for both basic and applied studies. While much of the focus has been on mammalian sytems, research in aquatic organisms, especially fish, offers opportunities for innovation in cell sourcing and large-sclae cultivation. For the food industry, this exploration is particularly relevant, as it supports the development of cultured fish meat. This article reviews the manipulation of adult and fish stem cells and the latest techniques used in the emerging field of fish cell reprogramming, including cloning and integrative and non-integrative methods to induce pluripotency, highlighting recent advances and potential applications. The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fish species for subsequent in vitro cell differentiation opens new opportunities for regenerative medicine, animal conservation, and the production of alternative proteins that promise to address global food security challenges. Thus, fish cells could enable the development of this emerging technology for the production of cultured fish meat, strengthening the links between biotechnology, environmental science, and food production as an innovative and sustainable solution.