Neuroprogenitor Cell Differentiation in Culture
Olga Miakotina & Michael E. Dailey
Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2014, Volume 35
Abstract
Neuroprogenitor cells differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. This experiment for an upper level laboratory allows students to obtain hands-on experience in sterile tissue culturing, to observe how factors stimulate neuroprogenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, to recognize neural cell types in culture, and to explore the influence of co-culturing with endothelial cells on neuroprogenitor cell fate. During this unit, students prepare substratum and cell culture medium, triturate cells, co-culture neuroprogenitors and endothelial cells, perform live imaging of differentiating cells, and immunostain cells to enable quantification of neurons and astrocytes. Results are presented in the format of a scientific manuscript.
Keywords: tissue culture, Inquiry-based Collaborative Learning, neuroprogenitors, differentiation, upper division lab
University of Calgary (2013)