spotter at cco.caltech.edu (Steve Potter) writes:
>Does anyone out there have experience moving single neurons around under
>the microscope. I am using dissociated hippocampal neurons from P1 rat
>pups to make networks in culture. Would a blunt sucker micropipette be a
>good way to do this? Any other (low-tech) solutions?
>Please email me directly.
>Steve Potter, PhD
>Caltech Division of Biology
>spotter at cco.caltech.edu
I culture molluscan neurons which are on average substantially larger than
vertebrate neurons so my methods may not be applicable but...
I dissociate my cells from the ganglion with fine microelectrodes, as I'm
sure many other people do. When setting up circuits which require carefully
positioning the neurons next to each other at a specific distance, I "rake"
them around with a microelectrode with a bend in it so that it resembles a
very tiny "streaker" used in microbiology bacteria plating techniques. This
allows me to push around the cells with less cell damage than using a
microelectrode. You may wish to coat your mini-rake with a substance to
discourage the cells from sticking to it. Various things can be used; I use
Sylgard.
Tony Brazelton
Neuronal Pattern Analysis Group, Beckman Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
tbrazelt at synapse.nap.uiuc.edu
.
