Proliferation and differentiation of human fetal brain neural stem cells in vitro

Abstract

Primary human fetal brain neural stem cells (hNSCs) are a unique non-genetically modified model system to study molecular mechanisms underlying human neural development, to model human diseases, and to screen drugs or validate new treatments. They may also be used for cell transplantation to treat various neurological diseases. This protocol details our methods that can be used to expand hNSCs in culture as well as how to differentiate them into various neuronal lineages and astrocytes.