Conversion of fish fibroblasts to muscle cells

2024 – 2026

Utilize bioinformatics to characterize cell populations in fish muscles, employing this data to directly convert fish fibroblasts into muscle cells. 

Production platform: Cultivated

Technology sector: Cell line development

Sci23066 cm

Project aims

The project aims to utilize multiomics tools to better understand the cell populations that comprise fish skeletal muscle, particularly focusing on the different cell types contributing to the formation of new muscle fibers and fat tissue. Various fish species will be sequenced and characterized, aiming to identify common regulators governing fish muscle cell identity. Building upon this data, an attempt will be made to directly generate and convert fish fibroblasts into muscle cells using small molecule and protein treatment. Collectively, these findings may streamline an alternative approach to produce muscle cells from aquatic animals for cultivated meat applications.

Principal researchers

Ori bar nur headshot cropped

Ori Bar-Nur

Professor of Regenerative and Movement Biology

ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Dr. Bar-Nur serves as an Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. His lab employs cellular reprogramming to convert somatic cells into myogenic stem cells. Leveraging its muscle cell cultivation expertise, the lab is investigating ways to lower cultivated meat production costs through the generation of unique muscle stem cell lines.

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