How does one culture nerve cells?

Each type of cell has its own special requirements in terms of exact pH, nutrients, and growth factors. And, nerve cells require such specific requirements that there is no one sure way to culture them.

The general process is to isolate the tissue through surgery, and then use mechanical plus enzymatic disassociation of the tissue, light centrifugation, and rinsing in media to remove enzymes then initial plating. This is actually very difficult to do in practice.

Another obstacle is that primary nerve cultures (taken directly from living tissue) have a relatively short lifespan. Nerve cells are not like muscle and skin cells in that they generally lack the ability to replicate.

First answer by Ilantoren. Last edit by Ilantoren. Contributor trust: 203 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 31 [recommend question]