In recent decades, the use of animal models across various species has increased significantly. These models are now recognized as powerful tools for understanding biological processes—including vertebrate development, immunology, cancer, and other mechanisms relevant to biotechnology and cellular biology. Birds, due to their unique characteristics, are considered especially suitable animal models.

Thanks to advances in ex-ovo embryo culture techniques and the use of surrogate egg shells, avian embryos are readily accessible and observable from the onset of development to hatching. This accessibility enables deeper insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Based on these capabilities, the Avian Stem Cell Laboratory was established in February 2017 (Bahman 1395 in the Iranian calendar) and comprises the following three units:

1. Cell Culture Room

2. Embryo Manipulation and Culture Room

3. Egg Sectioning and Hatching Room

🧪 Current Services

1. Culturing embryos using surrogate egg shells for developmental studies

2. Angiogenesis and metastasis studies in cancer models

3. Drug screening and evaluation

4. Fluorescent imaging using stereo fluorescence microscopy

5. Culturing primordial germ cells (PGCs) from chicken embryos

6. Culturing other types of avian cells

7. Evaluating pluripotency of human or mouse stem cells in chick embryos

🚀 Future Plans

1. Genetic improvement and enhanced quantity/quality of poultry products

2. Production of recombinant proteins including monoclonal antibodies

3. Development of recombinant drugs and vaccines

4. Manufacturing diagnostic kits

5. Gene cloning and editing for disease modeling

6. Preservation of endangered species

7. Safeguarding valuable genetic resources

8. Generation of poultry lines resistant to infectious diseases

9. Expanded biomedical and biotechnology research applications