What if the key to boosting fish survival in aquaculture lies just beneath their skin? A new discovery in salmon biology might change how we think about healing—both in fish and, potentially, in broader biological contexts.
Key Points at a Glance
- Scientists identified a previously unknown population of stem cells in Atlantic salmon skin.
- These cells may play a crucial role in tissue regeneration and wound healing.
- Findings could inform new strategies to reduce mortality in salmon farming.
- Research suggests fish skin has greater regenerative potential than previously understood.
In a remarkable breakthrough that blends marine biology, regenerative medicine, and aquaculture science, researchers at the University of Stirling have discovered a novel population of adult stem cells in the skin of Atlantic salmon. These cells are not only integral to healing wounds but may also hold clues to enhancing fish health in aquaculture systems under environmental stress.
The research, led by Dr Rose Ruiz Daniels of the University’s Institute of Aquaculture and published in BMC Biology, focuses on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)—a type of fibroblast-like stem cell already well-studied in mammals. In salmon, however, these cells appear to be more flexible and potent, potentially capable of differentiating into various tissue types including fat and bone.
“We found MSCs at both the wound site and in intact skin,” Dr Ruiz Daniels explains, “suggesting these cells are a stable and functional part of salmon skin. They likely play a role in maintaining the skin’s structural and barrier properties, which are essential for fish health—especially in the demanding conditions of sea cages.”
Using cutting-edge technologies such as single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the team was able to profile how these cells behave during wound healing. Their findings show that MSCs become more transcriptionally active during the remodelling phase—a critical stage in the healing process where tissue regains its integrity and strength.
More intriguingly, these cells showed signs of pluripotency—the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types—a trait more commonly associated with embryonic stem cells. This flexibility might mean that fish possess regenerative pathways that are more dynamic than those of land animals.
“This hints at a broader regenerative capacity in fish skin than previously understood,” Ruiz Daniels notes, “potentially linking repair processes in the skin to those in deeper tissues like muscle, scales, and connective tissue.”
The implications for aquaculture are significant. Skin and gill damage are major sources of fish mortality in farming operations, particularly as the industry faces increasing threats from climate change, rising disease pressures, and temperature fluctuations. With a deeper understanding of skin regeneration, scientists hope to develop biotechnological interventions to strengthen these barrier tissues.
Beyond the practical applications, the study also deepens our understanding of vertebrate biology. The flexibility of salmon MSCs raises fundamental questions about the evolution of tissue repair mechanisms and whether other fish species possess similar regenerative capabilities.
This discovery was made possible through collaboration across several leading institutions: the University of Stirling, the Roslin Institute, Nofima, and the University of Prince Edward Island. The study’s co-authors include a consortium of experts in genetics, aquaculture, and molecular biology, reinforcing the interdisciplinary nature of this pioneering work.
Ultimately, by illuminating the silent processes of repair taking place under a salmon’s skin, researchers are opening new doors—not only for more sustainable fish farming but perhaps one day for medical advancements inspired by the sea.
Source: University of Stirling
