Lab-Grown Fish

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Context:

• The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) initiates a groundbreaking project for lab-grown fish meat.

Lab-Grown Fish

• Lab-grown fish, also known as cultivated or cell-based fish, is produced through cellular agriculture techniques in a controlled environment.

Process:

• Specific cells are isolated from fish tissue.
• Cells are then cultured and grown in a laboratory setting using animal component-free media.

Replication of Qualities:

• Final product replicates the original flavor, texture, and nutritional qualities of conventionally harvested fish.

Objectives:

• Address the increasing demand for seafood.
• Alleviate pressure on wild fish populations and resources.

Environmental Impact:

• Offers potential benefits for environmental conservation by reducing overfishing and habitat destruction associated with traditional fishing.

Significance:

• Provides an alternative to conventional fishing methods, contributing to the sustainability of seafood production.
• Reduces the ecological footprint associated with traditional fisheries.

Challenges:

• Overcoming technical challenges in achieving the right texture, taste, and nutritional content.
• Addressing public perceptions and regulatory frameworks.

Nutritional Value:

• Lab-grown fish aims to match or exceed the nutritional content of traditionally harvested fish.

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Project

Project Objectives:

• Address the increasing demand for seafood in India.
• Make advancements in the field of cultured marine fish meat.
• Alleviate pressure on wild fish resources.

Cultivated Fish Meat Process:

• Involves isolating specific cells from fish.
• Grown in a laboratory using animal component-free media.
• Final product replicates original flavor, texture, and nutritional qualities.

Initial Phase Focus:

• Development of cell-based meat for high-value marine species like kingfish, pomfret, and seer fish.

Collaboration with Neat Meatt Biotech:

• Public-private partnership mode with Neat Meatt Biotech, a startup specializing in cultivated meat.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CMFRI Director A Gopalakrishnan and Neat Meatt Biotech's co-founder and CEO, Dr Sandeep Sharma.

Research Responsibilities Defined:

• CMFRI to conduct research on early cell line development of high-value marine fish species.
• Involves isolating and cultivating fish cells for further research and development.
• CMFRI to handle genetic, biochemical, and analytical work related to the project.

Infrastructure and Expertise:

• CMFRI equipped with a cell culture laboratory with basic facilities.
• Solid foundation for research in cellular biology.

Neat Meatt's Role:

• Leading optimization of cell growth media.
• Developing scaffolds or microcarriers for cell attachment.
• Scaling up production through bioreactors.
• Providing necessary consumables, manpower, and additional equipment.

Significance of the Partnership:

• Bridges the gap between India and nations like Singapore, Israel, and the USA advancing cultured seafood research.
• Lab-grown fish holds potential for environmental and food security benefits.
• Collaboration leverages CMFRI's marine research expertise with Neat Meatt's technological know-how.

Future Prospects:

• Paves the way for a sustainable and secure future for seafood production in India.
• Marks a crucial step in the development of cultured seafood research in the country.