BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium N2-A & SM1 Kit
Kit for serum-free culture of ES/iPS cell-derived neurons in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium
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Overview
For your convenience, BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium N2-A & SM1 Kit includes BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium (basal medium) and supplements for culturing human ES/iPS-derived neuronal progenitor cells. Based on the formulation by Bardy and Gage (Bardy et al. PNAS, 2015), serum-free BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium mimics the extracellular environment of the central nervous system (CNS) to yield a higher proportion of synaptically active neurons. Brewer’s B27-based NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement ensures cell health and encourages neurite outgrowth and branching in short- and long-term serum-free cultures, and N2 Supplement-A supports the in vitro differentiation of ES/iPS-derived cells to neuronal subtypes. For lineage-specific differentiation requiring growth factors, please see BrainPhys™ hPSC Neuron Kit, which also includes BDNF and GDNF.
To avoid shocking your cells with media changes, you can also use BrainPhys™ medium when performing functional assays, such as microelectrode array-based recordings or live-fluorescent imaging.
View our additional resources to learn more about the BrainPhys™system.
Data Figures
Table 1. Properties of Culture Media (C Bardy et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2015)

Check-mark denotes physiological conditions and supported activities according to C Bardy et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2015.

Figure 1. Protocol for Culturing hPSCs with the SM1 Culture System
hPSCs were maintained in mTeSR™1 medium and then differentiated using the STEMdiff™ SMADi Neural Induction Kit. Following plating on PLO/laminin, half-medium changes were performed to transition to BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium for maturation and long-term culture.

Figure 2. hPSC-Derived Neurons Generated in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and NeuroCult™ SM1 and N2 Supplements are Healthy and Morphologically Normal
NPCs were generated from H9 cells using STEMdiff™ Neural Induction Medium in an embryoid body-based protocol. Next, NPCs were cultured for 44 DIV in (A) BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium, supplemented with 2% NeuroCult™ SM1 Supplement, 1% N2 Supplement-A, 20 ng/mL GDNF, 20 ng/mL BDNF, 1 mM db-cAMP and 200 nM ascorbic acid to initiate neuronal differentiation, or (B) DMEM/F12 under the same supplementation conditions. Neuronal cultures differentiated from NPCs in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium display extensive neurite outgrowth and reduced cellular debris compared to cultures differentiated in DMEM/F12. Scale bar= 100 µm.
Protocols and Documentation
Find supporting information and directions for use in the Product Information Sheet or explore additional protocols below.
Applications
This product is designed for use in the following research area(s) as part of the highlighted workflow stage(s). Explore these workflows to learn more about the other products we offer to support each research area.
Resources and Publications
Educational Materials (23)
Publications (51)
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Legal Statement:
BrainPhys is a registered trademark of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, used under exclusive license.
Quality Statement:
PRODUCTS ARE FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY AND NOT INTENDED FOR HUMAN OR ANIMAL DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USES UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON QUALITY AT STEMCELL, REFER TO WWW.STEMCELL.COM/COMPLIANCE.