I see small aggregation-like particles in primary neuron culture from the hippocampi of rats. Can anyone suggest what are these ? And can we go with drug or other treatment assays with these particles in culture and they will not affect the experiment?
Hello Nirmal Verma
These aggregates are clumps of cells which usually neuronal cells form when they fail to attach to the substratum. You need to check the surface of the culture flask. What type of coating are you using to coat the culture flask? Usually, the quality of coating solution (for instance, Poly-L-Lysine or Poly-D-Lysine) and inadequate coating could cause a problem in attachment of neuronal cells to the surface.
Best.
Hi Nirmal,
I agree with Malcolm that these aggregates look like clumps of cells. Besides the good point raised by Malcolm about the quality of the coating and its influence in cell attachment, this can also be caused by inefficient chemical o mechanical dissociation. In any case, before you change your experimental design try leaving your cell suspension after mechanical dissociation for a couple of minutes (to sediment these clumps) and avoid taking your cell suspension too close to the bottom of the tube.
Good luck,
Aggregates of dead cells, most likely due to excessive trituration or too much time spent in dissociation medium. I don't think coating is an issue (there are many attached neurons on these pictures).