Neurosphere

Neural progenitor cells: After forming a neurosphere, embryonic neural progenitor cells spread out into a monolayer. A. Neurosphere consisting of SVZ cells isolated at E15 that have aggregated in suspension after 2 days in culture. Scale bar: 100 µm. B. Neurosphere of SVZ cells derived at E15 that has attached to the floor of the culture flask after 4 days in culture. Note cells migrating away from the neurosphere. Scale bar: 100 µm. C. Cells at the periphery of neurospheres were chosen for electrophysiological recording. Most of the recorded cells extended processes. Arrows indicate the location of recording (left) and puffer (right) pipettes. Scale bar: 20 µm. Smith DO et al., PLoS ONE, 2008

A neurosphere is free-floating structure generated by neural stem cells in vitro.^[1]

Neurospheres present as non-adherent spherical clusters of cells. Many factors contribute to the cellular composition of the neurosphere. Key variables including the age of the animal, plating density, culturing techniques, and passage number will all influence the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the neurosphere.

See also

• Adult stem cell
• Progenitor cell

References

1. ^ Bez A, Corsini E, Curti D, et al. (December 2003). "Neurosphere and neurosphere-forming cells: morphological and ultrastructural characterization". Brain Res. 993 (1–2): 18–29. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2003.08.061. PMID 14642827. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0006899303035601. 

External links

• A Network Protocol for generating neurospheres has been published on the Nature Protocols site: Neural Stem Cell Culture: Neurosphere generation, microscopical analysis and cryopreservation
• Reusable 3D cell culture tool used for growing neurospheres - 3D Petri Dish