In article <2i656s$j59 at vixen.cso.uiuc.edu> adb46186 at uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Anthony D Brazelton) writes:
>From: adb46186 at uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Anthony D Brazelton)
>Subject: Re: Manipulation of single neurons
>Date: 26 Jan 1994 16:19:40 GMT
>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>.
>I'm sorry. I don't know why I said Sylgard. I meant Sigmacote. Sigmacote
is a nontoxic silane very useful for silanizing glass.
tony
