Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Neuroprogenitor Cell Differentiation in Culture
 

Olga Miakotina & Michael E. Dailey

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2014, Volume 35

Supplemental Materials:

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)