Cellular signaling is a process by which all living cells communicate and is essential for physiological responses such as proliferation, differentiation, secretion, fertilization and apoptosis. Th is network of information transfer is often multi-step, and involves several proteins, ions, enzymes, and transcription factors located in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. Furthermore, defects in cellular signaling can lead to cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and many other diseases. Although cellular signaling systems have been extensively studied in mammalian cells, there is a significant lack of knowledge in aquatic species. The fact that aquatic species (e.g. zebrafish) have now emerged as a dominant alternative to mammalian models for biomedical research makes it even more relevant to understand how cellular signaling takes place in these animals. The se findings are critical for drug development and disease treatment; hence they rely on our understanding of how different cell types communicate. This presentation will address some important requirements for establishing a research program in the field of cellular signaling. Topics include academic and postdoctoral training ; types of techniques and equipment utilized ; setting up an independent research program; application in aquaculture.