DATE: September 5, 2019
TIME: 12:00pm PDT

Astrocytes are a major cell type in the mammalian CNS. They are involved in a number of essential processes such as synapse formation and function, as well as blood-brain barrier formation and control of cerebral blood flow. Furthermore, it has been shown that astroglial cells act as neural stem cells (NSCs) in the neurogenic regions of the adult brain. However, still many aspects of the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of astrocyte in development and diseases are unknown, which is at least partly due to the lack of tools available for astrocyte isolation and characterization of different astrocyte subtypes. In this webinar we will describe an optimized procedure for dissociation of neonatal as well as adult mouse brain and introduce new antibodies and technologies for the characterization and isolation of living astrocytes as well as NSCs.  As a single cell suspension with high cell viability and a minimum of cell debris is the prerequisite for successful downstream processing, we present an optimized automated dissociation procedure for neonatal as well as adult mouse brain that yields a large number of pure viable cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate different tools and techniques for isolation and cultivation of astrocytes as well as neural stem cells. Whereas neonatal and adult astrocytes are isolated by magnetic cells sorting, sorting of adult NSCs is carried out using the MACSQuant® Tyto®, a novel multiparametric cell sorting device that uses a microchip-based technology for sterile and gentle cell isolation. In summary, the webinar gives an overview on novel approaches for the characterization and isolation of astrocytes and NSCs by combination of optimized cell preparation methods and sophisticated cell sorting technologies.

Learning Objectives:

• Unique astrocyte specific antibodies for characterization and isolation of viable astrocytes.
• Novel approach for gentle isolation of pure adult neural stem cells (NSCs) using the MACSQuant® Tyto® technology.
• Novel technologies for optimized neonatal and adult brain tissue dissociation.
• Improved serum-free culture of primary astrocytes and adult neural stem cell.

Webinars will be available for unlimited on-demand viewing after live event.

LabRoots is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program. By attending this webinar, you can earn 1 Continuing Education credit once you have viewed the webinar in its entirety.