Transdifferentiating Fibroblasts into Neurons
This is intended as a guide only; for full experimental details please read the reference provided.
In Brief Download the PDF of this protocol
Li et al. describe a protocol that uses a cocktail of small molecules to differentiate fibroblasts directly into neurons.
Mouse fibroblasts were cultured for 4 - 5 days. Fibroblast culture medium was then exchanged for induction medium, which resulted in cells with neuron-like morphology. After 20 days these cells were co-cultured with astrocytes in maturation medium, resulting in functional neurons.
Cocktails
| Induction Medium | Maturation Medium | Survival enhancer | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISX 9 (Cat.No. 4439) | 20 μM | Forskolin (Cat.No. 1099) | 10 μM | Y-27632 (Cat.No. 1254) | 2 μM |
| Forskolin (Cat.No. 1099) | 100 μM | bFGF | 50 ng/ml | ||
| CHIR 99021 (Cat.No. 4423) | 20 μM | BDNF | 20 ng/ml | ||
| I-BET 151 (Cat.No. 4650) | 0.5 - 2.0 μM | GDNF | 20 ng/ml | ||
