The tissue of the central nervous system is made up of two classes of cells that may be broadly categorized as neurons and glia. Neurons are anatomic, functional, and trophic units of the brain [1]. Despite great variability in size and shape, all neurons share common morphological features, the key elements of a highly complex communication network. Neurons are dynamically polarized cells that serve as the major signaling unit of the nervous system. The brain is known to contain about 1 x 10^11 neurons, each being able to contact at least 10,000 other neurons [2]. Brain stem neurons provide main motor and sensory innervation and integrative functions by regulating heart rate, breathing, sleep cycle, awareness, consciousness, and more [3]. Neurons isolated from different brain regions serve as excellent models for studies of region-specific pathologies and degeneration, neurotoxicology and brain development [4].

HN-bs from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human brain stem. HN-bs are cryopreserved at P0 and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >1 x 10^6 cells in 1 ml volume. HN-bs are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to neurofilament, MAP2, and β-tubulin III. HN-bs are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. HN-bs are guaranteed to further culture under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories; however, HN-bs are not recommended for expanding or long-term cultures since the cells do not proliferate in culture.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use neuronal medium (NM, Cat. #1521) for culturing HN-bs in vitro.