Neurobasal Plus Medium Composition – Ingredients & Key Benefits

If you’re working with neurons in the lab, finding the right culture medium can make all the difference. Neurobasal Plus stands out as a go-to option for many researchers focused on primary rodent neurons or human stem cell-derived ones. This medium helps keep cells healthy and active over time, without the mess of added serum.

What sets Neurobasal Plus apart is its design for real results in neuron studies. It pairs well with supplements like B-27 Plus to boost cell life and growth. Many labs switch to it for better outcomes in experiments involving brain cells.

In this post, we’ll break down the makeup of Neurobasal Plus, its main parts, and why it might fit your work. You’ll see how it supports neuron health in simple ways. Let’s dive in and explore what makes this medium a smart pick.

What Is Neurobasal Plus Medium?

Neurobasal Plus is an updated version of the classic Neurobasal medium, built for growing neurons in a controlled setting. It comes from Gibco, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, and aims to mimic the natural environment neurons need. This means less stress on cells and more reliable data from your cultures.

Unlike basic media, this one skips serum to cut down on variables. It’s liquid and ready to use, stored in the fridge. Researchers use it for long-term cultures, often seeing cells thrive for weeks.

It works best for primary neurons from rats or mice, plus those from human iPS cells. The formula cuts glutamate issues that can harm cells. Overall, it’s a step up for anyone handling delicate neuron work.

Key Ingredients in Neurobasal Plus Medium

The exact mix is proprietary, but it’s based on a balanced formula like the original Neurobasal. It includes essential amino acids such as L-alanine, L-arginine, and L-glutamine to fuel cell growth. These help build proteins and keep energy levels steady.

Inorganic salts form the base, with things like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and sodium chloride. They maintain the right osmotic balance and pH for neurons. Potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate also play roles in cell signaling and buffering.

Vitamins are key too, including biotin, choline chloride, and folic acid. These support metabolic paths vital for neuron function. D-glucose provides energy, while phenol red acts as a pH indicator to spot changes fast.

Other components might include HEPES for extra buffering and trace elements like selenite. Though not fully listed, the optimized blend reduces toxicity from things like L-cysteine in older versions. This setup ensures neurons get what they need without extras that could interfere.

Benefits of Using Neurobasal Plus

One big plus is higher cell survival rates. Studies show at least 50% better survival for primary rat neurons compared to the classic medium. This means you can work with fewer cells and still get strong results.

It speeds up neurite outgrowth, helping neurons form connections quicker. In just a week, you might see more branches and synapses. This is great for looking at network activity in your cultures.

Electrophysiological performance improves too. Neurons show more stable and synced firing patterns after 10 days. That leads to better data in studies on brain function or disease models.

Lower seeding densities are possible, saving time and resources. No need for serum means simpler protocols and less cost. It’s versatile for rodent or human cells, making it a flexible tool in neuroscience labs.

• Boosts neuron maturation for advanced experiments.
• Reduces cell death from glutamate buildup.
• Supports mixed cultures without glial overgrowth.
• Enhances synaptic puncta for connectivity studies.

How Neurobasal Plus Compares to Classic Neurobasal?

The classic version works well, but Neurobasal Plus takes it further with tweaks in the formula. It uses stricter quality checks on raw materials for consistency. This leads to fewer batch issues and more repeatable experiments.

Survival jumps up, especially when paired with B-27 Plus supplement. The original might need higher cell numbers to start, but Plus handles lower counts. That can cut your prep time in half.

In terms of activity, Plus shows better mean firing rates in networks. It’s also more effective against competitors like BrainPhys. If you’re upgrading, the switch is straightforward with no big changes needed.

Tips for Using Neurobasal Plus in Your Lab

Start by coating your dishes with poly-D-lysine for better cell attachment. Mix the medium with B-27 Plus at 2% for the full system. Keep everything at 37°C with 5% CO2 for optimal growth.

Change half the medium every few days to refresh nutrients. Watch for pH shifts using the phenol red color. If cells look stressed, check your storage—always protect from light.

For human iPSC neurons, it helps with maturation over weeks. Track progress with stains like MAP2 for structure. This approach keeps cultures healthy and productive.

Common Applications in Research

Many use it for studying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The stable environment lets you test drugs on neuron models. It’s also popular in developmental biology to watch how neurons form.

In toxicity screens, the medium’s low glutamate helps spot real effects. Electrophysiology labs rely on it for clear signals. Overall, it’s a staple for pushing forward in brain science.

Conclusion

Neurobasal Plus offers a solid foundation for neuron culture with its tuned ingredients and clear benefits. From higher survival to faster growth, it helps get the most from your cells. If neuron work is your focus, give it a try for better results.