Project aims
This project will help develop myogenic and adipogenic differentiation media for zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and adapt this media for sea bass culture. This would reduce costs and optimize media formulations for cultivated seafood production. Beyond zebrafish and sea bass, this work will provide a strong foundation for the development of successful cultivation of other fish species and fish-like cell lines.
Principal researchers
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 2 Gfi grantee dr. Steven rees, ceo, defined bioscience, inc. , usa](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SteveRees-headshot-300x300-1.jpg)
Dr. Steven Rees
CEO, Defined Bioscience, Inc., USA
Dr. Rees has a background in biomedical sciences with training in molecular biophysics, pharmacology, and multiscale biology. He is currently focused on creating high-quality reagents, media, and protocols that will reduce the cost of growing stem cells from humans and animals.
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 3 Gfi grantee dr. Reza ovissipour, assistant professor, virginia tech university, usa](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/RezaOvissipour-headshot-300x300-1.jpg)
Dr. Reza Ovissipour
Assistant professor, Virginia Tech University, USA
Dr. Ovissipour has expertise in process optimization using AI and machine learning. He has experience developing value-added products from agricultural side streams and researching cultivated seafood production.
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 4 Gfi grantee dr. Lexi duscher, postdoctoral associate, virginia tech university, usa](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/LexiDuscher-headshot-300x300-1.jpg)
Dr. Lexi Duscher
Postdoctoral associate, Virginia Tech University, USA
Dr. Duscher’s research focuses on optimizing cost-effective and efficient fish cell culture for the development of cultivated seafood. She has experience structuring living fish cells into cultivated meat fillets via plant-based scaffolding and 3D bioprinting.
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 5 Defined bioscience logo](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/defined_bioscience_logo.webp)
Defined Bioscience is awarded $1.5 million NIH SBIR grant
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded Defined Bioscience a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to advance human stem cell media. This research will provide complementary learnings for their GFI-funded cultivated seafood media research.
Related research
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 6 A redfish is swimming in the grass flats ocean](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_126894620-435x297.jpg)
Seafood cell lines
Learn about Dr. Kevan Main and Dr. Cathy Walsh’s work at Mote Marine Laboratory to develop cell lines and methodology for cultivated seafood.
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 7 Sea creature](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SCI21015_13_esperanza-doronila-clv3SY1-IHw-unsplash-435x297.jpg)
3D fiber scaffolds for shrimp
Learn about Dr. Nataraja Yadavalli’s research to develop edible nanofiber scaffolds for Pacific white shrimp at CytoNest.
Explore research opportunities
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Cultivated
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Fermentation
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Plant-Based
Optimizing fat profiles for nutritional and sensory properties
Because alternative meat’s fat content and fatty acid profile can be more easily controlled than conventional meat’s, there is an opportunity to alter fat content for nutritional benefits. Additional research…
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Cultivated
Mapping animal cell metabolism to optimize media formulation
The cost and environmental impact of cultivated meat are driven by the cell culture media formulation and its conversion efficiency into meat. Metabolic modeling and engineering techniques can aid media…
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Cultivated
Promoting stemness and proliferation in fish cell cultures
Efficient and cost-effective cultivated fish production will require precise optimization to encourage fast proliferation and highly efficient use of inputs while preventing premature differentiation. A variety of strategies can be…
Check out related resources
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 13 Clean meat production cover art](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SCI-WP-cover-art-clean-meat-production-volume-media-cost-01-800x600.jpg)
Analyzing cell culture medium costs
This white paper explains different routes to lowering the cost of cell culture medium and making cultivated meat economically viable.
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 14 Scholar holding molecular model, representing biomedical science concept](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1646504482-800x600.jpg)
Translating biomedical advances to cultivated meat (Biochemical Engineering Journal)
This peer-reviewed article discusses how advances from the biomedical cell culture industry can contribute to the development of cultivated meat.
![Low-cost differentiation medium for seafood culture 15 A school of fish swimming along a reef underwater](https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ThinkstockPhotos-486819996-lo-800x600.jpg)
Sustainable Seafood Initiative
Learn how plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated seafood can improve the health and sustainability of oceans.