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BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium

Serum-free neurophysiological basal medium for improved neuronal live imaging and function

BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium

Serum-free neurophysiological basal medium for improved neuronal live imaging and function

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Serum-free neurophysiological basal medium for improved neuronal live imaging and function
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Product Advantages


  • No photoxicity for extended live imaging

  • Reduced background autofluorescence in the 488 nm excitation channel

  • Perform functional assays without changing media and shocking cells

  • More representative of the brain's extracellular environment

  • Improved neuronal function and a higher proportion of synaptically active neurons

  • Rigorous raw material screening and quality control ensure minimal lot-to-lot variability

What's Included

  • BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium (Catalog #05796)
    • BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized, 500 mL

Overview

BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium is a serum-free neuronal basal medium (based on the BrainPhysâ„¢ formulation published by Cedric Bardy and Fred H. Gage) that is optimized for imaging applications.

Applications of BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium include live fluorescent imaging (calcium imaging and optogenetics) and neuronal culture. In addition to the removal of phenol red, the formulation has been modified to reduce background fluorescence and increase stability upon repeated exposure to light (M Zabolocki et al. Nat Comm, 2020).
Subtype
Specialized Media
Cell Type
Neural Cells, PSC-Derived, Neurons, Pluripotent Stem Cells
Species
Human, Mouse, Non-Human Primate, Other, Rat
Application
Cell Culture, Functional Assay, Immunofluorescence, Organoid Culture
Brand
BrainPhys
Area of Interest
Disease Modeling, Drug Discovery and Toxicity Testing, Neuroscience, Organoids
Formulation Category
Chemically Defined, Serum-Free

Data Figures

Experimental protocol schematic for live imaging of hPSC-derived neurons

Figure 1. Schematic for Live Imaging During Differentiation of hPSC-Derived Neurons

Neurons can be transitioned into BrainPhysâ„¢ IO with the relevant supplements and cultured for a maximum of 14 days.

Experimental protocol schematic for live imaging of primary neurons

Figure 2. Schematic for Live Imaging During Maturation of Primary Tissue-Derived Neurons

Neurons can be transitioned into BrainPhysâ„¢ IO with serum replacement supplement and cultured for a maximum of 14 days.

Culturing neurons in BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium reduces phototoxicity after blue light exposure and autofluorescence at a mean emission of 525 nm

Figure 3. BrainPhysâ„¢ IO Reduces Phototoxicity and Autofluorescence of Imaged Cells

Primary rat cortical neurons cultured in BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium (A) retain a healthy morphology after exposure to blue LED light for 12 hours. (B) Neurons labeled with live neuron dye NeuroFluorâ„¢ NeuO showed reduced background fluorescence at a mean emission of 525 nm, resulting in improved image contrast. This medium has enhanced performance under live imaging conditions compared to the original BrainPhysâ„¢ Neuronal Medium formulation, which provides superior long-term culture health, but shows (C) some disintegrated cell bodies and neurites (black arrows) and (D) autofluorescence under the same experimental conditions.

Figure 4. BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium Reduces Autofluorescence Relative to Standard Neural Media and Other Imaging-Specialized Media

The emission spectra across 400 - 700 nm of the light spectrum were captured as mean autofluorescence intensity from test and control (PBS) media (without cells) for the 375 (ultraviolet), 405 (violet), 488 (blue), and 532 nm (green) excitation wavelengths. Mean fluorescence intensity in PBS was subtracted from other media to normalize the data (n = 8 replicate wells, 3 independent experiments). BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized (BPI) shows autofluorescence intensities similar to PBS and far lower intensities than are observed from standard neural media. Adapted from , Nature Communications, available under a .

Figure 5. Fluorescent Imaging in BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium Improves Signal-to-Background Ratios of 3D Neural Cultures

GFP-labeled ventral forebrain organoids were co-cultured and fused with unlabeled dorsal forebrain organoids for one week prior to live imaging in Forebrain Organoid Differentiation Medium from STEMdiffâ„¢ Dorsal Forebrain Organoid Differentiation Kit (right) or BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium (BPI, left). Interneuron migration can be visualized more clearly in BPI. Adapted from , Nature Communications, available under a .

Figure 6. BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium Supports Live Calcium Imaging of Human Neurons In Vitro

Intracellular Ca2+ changes in human PSC-derived neurons were measured with time-lapse imaging sequences of a Ca2+ sensor. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on the cell soma to determine fluorescence intensity changes (ΔF/F0) over time. The same fields of view (FOVs) were imaged in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF), BrainPhys™ Imaging Optimized (BPI), Imaging Alternative 2, and Imaging Alternative 1 media. (A) Representative image of a neuronal population in BPI. White circles represent active ROIs, and fluorescent intensity represents intracellular Ca2+ levels. (B) Comparison of Ca2+ signals in BPI, Imaging Alternative 1 (Img Alt 1), and Imaging Alternative 2 (Img Alt 2) conditions show significant differences in the proportions of cells with Ca2+ spikes (two-tailed Mann-Whitney tests, mean ± SEM). Active cells with Ca2+ spikes in BPI (n = 243 cells), Imaging Alternative 2 (n = 39 cells), and Imaging Alternative 1 (n = 18 cells) were compared across seven FOVs from two coverslips. (C) Example traces from the same ROIs in different media. Adapted from , Nature Communications, available under a .

Figure 7. BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium Supports Long-Term Studies of Neuronal Activity Combined with Imaging-Based Characterization

Spontaneous firing rates of human neurons expressing a synapsin:ChETA-YFP optogene were recorded in BrainPhys™ (BP), BrainPhys™ Imaging Optimized (BPI), or Imaging Alternative 1 media with identical supplements using microelectrode arrays. Recordings were split into two groups (circles, n = 8 wells; or triangles, n = 7 wells). Both groups were switched from BP to BPI after 82 days, and only the triangle group was switched to Imaging Alternative 1 from day 89 - 95. From day 96, both groups were cultured in BP for one week before switching to BPI. Long-term firing is enhanced in BPI relative to Imaging Alternative 1, and mean firing rates (MFR, mean ± SEM) from both groups perform at baseline following the media change at day 96. Adapted from , Nature Communications, available under a .

Figure 8. BrainPhysâ„¢ Imaging Optimized Medium Supports Long-Term Studies of Human Neuronal Function In Vitro with Equivalent Performance to BrainPhysâ„¢ Medium

Multielectrode array (MEA) recordings from human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons cultured in a 48-well MEA plate in BrainPhys™ (BP) for 9 weeks (n = 6 wells, 96 electrodes) or switched to BrainPhys™ Imaging Optimized (BPI) from BP during weeks 6 - 8 (n = 5 wells, 80 electrodes). (A) Percentage of active electrodes (>0.017Hz) and (B) mean firing rate (MFR) were both maintained during the period in BPI. Values are presented as mean ± SEM. Adapted from , Nature Communications, available under a .

Protocols and Documentation

Find supporting information and directions for use in the Product Information Sheet or explore additional protocols below.

Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
Lot #
Language
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05796
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05796
Lot #
All
Language
English

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

Publications (4)

CFAP300 Loss-of-Function Mutations with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: Evidence from Ex Vivo and ALI Cultures A. G. Demchenko et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025 Aug

Abstract

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by impaired mucociliary clearance due to defects in motile cilia. This study investigates the impact of loss-of-function mutations in the CFAP300 gene on the ciliary structure and function in three PCD patients. Using a multimodal approach, we integrated molecular genetic testing, transmission electron microscopy, the high-speed video microscopy assay and immunofluorescence staining to analyze ciliary motility and protein expression in both ex vivo and in vitro-obtained ciliary cells. Our results revealed that the pathogenic variant c.198_200delinsCC (p.Phe67ProfsTer10) in CFAP300 led to the absence of the functional CFAP300 protein, the complete loss of outer and inner dynein arms and immotile cilia. Air–liquid interface (ALI)-cultured cells from patients exhibited no ciliary beating, contrasting with healthy controls. Immunostaining confirmed the absence of CFAP300 in patient-derived cilia, underscoring its critical role in dynein arm assembly. These findings highlight the diagnostic utility of ALI cultures combined with functional and protein analyses for PCD, offering a clinically actionable framework that can be readily incorporated into standard diagnostic workflows.
Direct and indirect regulation of ?-glucocerebrosidase by the transcription factors USF2 and ONECUT2 NPJ Parkinson's Disease 2024 Oct

Abstract

Mutations in GBA1 encoding the lysosomal enzyme ?-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) are among the most prevalent genetic susceptibility factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD), with 10–30% of carriers developing the disease. To identify genetic modifiers contributing to the incomplete penetrance, we examined the effect of 1634 human transcription factors (TFs) on GCase activity in lysates of an engineered human glioblastoma line homozygous for the pathogenic GBA1 L444P variant. Using an arrayed CRISPR activation library, we uncovered 11 TFs as regulators of GCase activity. Among these, activation of MITF and TFEC increased lysosomal GCase activity in live cells, while activation of ONECUT2 and USF2 decreased it. While MITF, TFEC, and USF2 affected GBA1 transcription, ONECUT2 might control GCase trafficking. The effects of MITF, TFEC, and USF2 on lysosomal GCase activity were reproducible in iPSC-derived neurons from PD patients. Our study provides a systematic approach to identifying modulators of GCase activity and deepens our understanding of the mechanisms regulating GCase.
PP2A and GSK3 act as modifiers of FUS-ALS by modulating mitochondrial transport P. Tziortzouda et al. Acta Neuropathologica 2024 Feb

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease which currently lacks effective treatments. Mutations in the RNA-binding protein FUS are a common cause of familial ALS, accounting for around 4% of the cases. Understanding the mechanisms by which mutant FUS becomes toxic to neurons can provide insight into the pathogenesis of both familial and sporadic ALS. We have previously observed that overexpression of wild-type or ALS-mutant FUS in Drosophila motor neurons is toxic, which allowed us to screen for novel genetic modifiers of the disease. Using a genome-wide screening approach, we identified Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3) as novel modifiers of FUS-ALS. Loss of function or pharmacological inhibition of either protein rescued FUS-associated lethality in Drosophila . Consistent with a conserved role in disease pathogenesis, pharmacological inhibition of both proteins rescued disease-relevant phenotypes, including mitochondrial trafficking defects and neuromuscular junction failure, in patient iPSC-derived spinal motor neurons (iPSC-sMNs). In FUS-ALS flies, mice, and human iPSC-sMNs, we observed reduced GSK3 inhibitory phosphorylation, suggesting that FUS dysfunction results in GSK3 hyperactivity. Furthermore, we found that PP2A acts upstream of GSK3, affecting its inhibitory phosphorylation. GSK3 has previously been linked to kinesin-1 hyperphosphorylation. We observed this in both flies and iPSC-sMNs, and we rescued this hyperphosphorylation by inhibiting GSK3 or PP2A. Moreover, increasing the level of kinesin-1 expression in our Drosophila model strongly rescued toxicity, confirming the relevance of kinesin-1 hyperphosphorylation. Our data provide in vivo evidence that PP2A and GSK3 are disease modifiers, and reveal an unexplored mechanistic link between PP2A, GSK3, and kinesin-1, that may be central to the pathogenesis of FUS-ALS and sporadic forms of the disease. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00401-024-02689-y.