Establishment of Atlantic Salmon liver and gut cell lines to improve in vitro tools for research in aquaculture
3R (Replace – Reduce – Refine) alternative methods are novel scientific approaches that aim at mimicking and replacing in vivo models and by that reducing the numbers of research animals, as well as minimising pain and distress by experimental refinements. In vitro assays using different animal and human cells are widely used for determining e.g. the cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, etc. potential of chemical contaminants, natural toxins and drugs. Moreover, biotransformation of the test compounds can be studied in cells and cell fractions containing metabolisation enzymes.
While numerous 3R methods have been developed for replacing terrestrial research animals, in vitro assays for studying fish-related research questions are still scarce. Consequently, huge numbers of fish are used for experimental purposes each year. The project 3R Salmon aims therefore at developing and validating liver and intestinal cell lines of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) that are applicable in aquaculture research.
Internal competence-developing project at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (2023–2024).