Culturing Nerve Cells

This do-it-yourself manual describes recipes and protocols for biological scientists who want to learn how to grow neurons in culture and how to do it well. Some 20 experts describe the culture systems they have developed with the details of each protocol, and give advice on how to avoid problems.

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This do-it-yourself manual describes complete recipes and protocols for biological scientists, particularly neurobiologists, who want to learn how to grow neurons in culture and how to do it well. It also provides an understanding of the principles behind the protocols and takes into account the details that can make the difference between success and failure by asking experienced culturists to share their technical expertise. Introductory chapters present a brief course on culturing all types of nerve cells - including the kinds of cultures available and which might be best for a specific application - methods for cell dissociation, culture media and substrates, and a description of the techniques needed to characterize and study cultures. More than 20 experts then describe the culture systems that they have developed, including the details of each protocol as well as details of the many problems which may be encountered.