X-Message-Number: 13748
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 07:00:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: Viable cultured neurons in hibernation  storage for a month.

NeuroReport 7: 1509-1512 1996
Brewer G., and Price P.

Abstract:  Neurobasal is a bicarbonate-buffered medium
optimized for the growth of embryonic rat hippocampal
neurons at pH 7.3 in 5% CO2. Neurons die within hours
in this or in other 26 mM bicarbonate buffers when transferred
to ambient CO2 (0.2%). Death is associated with a rapid
rise in medium pH to 8.1. A new CO2-independent
modification of Neurobasal (Hiberate E), when
supplemented with B27, can maintain neuron viability
for at least 2 days in ambient CO2. This same medium
can also be used to store viable brain tissue for up to a
month with refrigeration. These advances should
facilitate studies of neuron physiology outside the
incubator as well as storing and transporting neuronal tissue.

Additional note by poster:

    Rat embryo hippocampi have 100% cell viability after
1 week of storage in Hibernate/B27. After 4 weeks this is
reduced to 50% cellular viability.

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