Development and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/chitosan hydrogel for tissue engineering and wound healing applications using a fish cell line model
Top row (left to right): Sivaraj Mithra, Ali Asna Jabeen, Vinay Kumar, Seepoo Abdul Majeed, Manickam Balu Balaji,
Bottom row (left to right): Sugumar Vimal, Dawood Mubeen Sultana, Sakvai Mohammed Safiullah, Gani Taju, Azeez Sait Sahul Hameed
What if we could heal wounds faster without chemicals, just using nature-inspired materials? That question sparked our journey. As a result, we combined three powerful ingredients such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for strength and flexibility, gelatin for its natural support of cells, and chitosan, a crustacean-derived wonder known for fighting bacteria and boosting healing (PVA/G/C). This formulation was found to be biocompatible and conducive to cell proliferation and nutrient diffusion. We studied the potential of PVA/G/C for micro-tissue formation and wound healing application using Danio rerio gill (DrG) and Danio rerio fin (DrF) cell lines, respectively. Overall, the findings indicated the potential use of PVA/G/C hydrogel films as wound dressings and also useful for drug delivery and effective scaffold for tissue engineering applications. Our attempt was not just a lab success but it felt like we created something alive. A material that supports healing, mimics real tissue, and carries medicine exactly where it is needed. This PVA/G/C hydrogel is not just a scientific breakthrough. It is a step toward for safe and smart wound healing process.
Mithra, S., Asna Jabeen, A., Kumar, V., Abdul Majeed, S., Balu Balaji, M., Vimal, S., Mubeen Sultana, D., Mohammed Safiullah, S., Taju, G., Sahul Hameed, A.S. Development and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/chitosan hydrogel for tissue engineering and wound healing applications using a fish cell line model. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Animal 61, 571-581 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11626-024-00996-y
Cell Painting of insect gut cells for exploration of molecular responses of insect epithelia to insecticides
Left to right: Franziska Annabelle Hecker, Bruno Leggio, Tim Koenig, Karsten Niehaus & Sven Geibel
The “Cell Painting” technology was broadly introduced less than ten years ago (Bray et al., 2016). High-content microscopy of different cell organelles stained with distinct fluorescence dyes enables multidimensional phenotype assessments supporting deep mechanistic insights during the drug discovery process. Although this method has primarily been used in mammalian systems, this study advances it by using gut-derived insect cells from the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), a destructive pest in the Americas. Both synthetic insecticides and insecticidal proteins are used to combat this organism. The gut tissue is the primary site of insecticide uptake and the target tissue for insecticidal proteins. Thus, using a cell line from this origin provides a relevant model for studying how these actives act at their first point of contact. Additionally, it allows to identify the causes of resistance and understand the determinants of selectivity and specificity. Building on earlier work with the Sf9 cell line (Hecker et al. 2024), a fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) ovarian tissue-derived cell line, we adapted the analysis pipeline to fit the corn earworm gut cell line’s distinct morphology. This approach revealed clear differences in cellular responses, particularly in gut-specific processes such as osmoregulation and epithelial structure formation. Therefore, the findings not only highlight how the origin of a cell line can influence its behavior, but also how a holistic approach unravels drug action and safety. This is a promising step toward more tissue-relevant models in Cell Painting and a reminder that even tiny gut cells can have a big story to tell.
Franziska Annabelle Hecker, Bruno Leggio, Tim Koenig, Karsten Niehaus, and Sven Geibel. Cell Painting of insect gut cells for exploration of molecular responses of insect epithelia to insecticides. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Animal, 61(5):515-524, 2025.
Cellular agriculture: lessons from shrimp
First row, left to right: Cathy Walsh, Tracy Sherwood, Andrea Tarnecki.
Second row, left to right: Nicole Rhody, Kevan Main, Jessica Restivo.
Our goal was to develop an embryonic stem cell (ESC) line from Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, to support production of cell-based cultivated seafood products towards meeting a growing global demand for sustainable seafood. Our approach was to use fertilized embryos at the blastomere stage, based on the hypothesis that cells from embryos at this stage would have high proliferation rates and the potential to develop into many cell types, characteristics that would facilitate development of a continuous cell line. Although successful in early stages of the culture, we encountered significant challenges over time. Cell cultures were initially dominated by shrimp as indicated by 18s rDNA community analysis. After multiple passages, however, thraustochytrids, a common contaminant in invertebrate cell culture, became the predominant cell type. Presence of shrimp cells was confirmed through species-specific primers we developed for the cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene. Presence of thraustochytrids was also confirmed using species-specific primers, morphological features, growth properties, and acriflavine staining. The future of shrimp cell culture depends on eliminating culture contaminant while encouraging growth of shrimp cells.
Catherine J. Walsh, Tracy A. Sherwood, Andrea M. Tarnecki, Nicole R. Rhody, Kevan L., Main, Jessica Restivo. Challenges in cellular agriculture: lessons from Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal, 61:525-547, 2025: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11626-024-01011-0
