Transfection of DIV2 primary cortical neurons using NeuroMag - Magnetofection

DIV2 primary neuronal cultures cultivated in 24-well plates were transfected using 0.64 µg plasmid and 1.2 µL NeuroMag transfection reagent (ratio 2:1) from 72H to 10 days.

This paper shows the high efficiency of NeuroMag from OZ Biosciences to transfect DIV2 primary cultures of cortical neurons.

article reference: J Neurosci Methods. 2014 Jan 30;222:82-90.

Neural circuits with long-distance axon tracts for determining functional connectivity.

Tang-Schomer MD, Davies P, Graziano D, Thurber AE, Kaplan DL.

Abstract
The cortical circuitry in the brain consists of structurally and functionally distinct neuronal assemblies with reciprocal axon connections. To generate cell culture-based systems that emulate axon tract systems of an in vivo neural network, we developed a living neural circuit consisting of compartmentalized neuronal populations connected by arrays of two millimeter-long axon tracts that are integrated on a planar multi-electrode array (MEA). The millimeter-scale node-to-node separation allows for pharmacological and electrophysiological manipulations to simultaneously target multiple neuronal populations. The results show controlled selectivity of dye absorption by neurons in different compartments. MEA-transmitted electrical stimulation of targeted neurons shows ∼46% increase of intracellular calcium levels with 20 Hz stimulation, but ∼22% decrease with 2k Hz stimulation. The unique feature of long distance axons promotes in vivo-like fasciculation. These axon tracts are determined to be inhibitory afferents by showing increased action potential firing of downstream node upon selective application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to the upstream node. Together, this model demonstrates integrated capabilities for assessing multiple endpoints including axon tract tracing, calcium influx, network architecture and activities. This system can be used as a multi-functional platform for studying axon tract-associated CNS disorders in vitro, such as diffuse axonal injury after brain trauma.

NeuroMag is the first dedicated Magnetofection ™ transfection reagent for neurons. It is perfect for primary neurons and can also be used with cell lines and glial cells. The transfection can be performed with neurons from 3 DIV to 21 DIV. It can also be used on ES cell derived motor neurons.