ƽ

BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and SM1 Kit

Kit including BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and SM1 Neuronal Supplement for serum-free culture of primary and ES/iPS cell-derived neurons

BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and SM1 Kit

Kit including BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and SM1 Neuronal Supplement for serum-free culture of primary and ES/iPS cell-derived neurons

Catalog #
(Select a product)
Kit including BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and SM1 Neuronal Supplement for serum-free culture of primary and ES/iPS cell-derived neurons
Request Pricing Request Pricing

Product Advantages


  • More representative of the brain’s extracellular environment

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

  • Perform functional assays without changing media and shocking cells

  • Supports long-term culture of ES/iPS cell- and CNS-derived neurons

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

What's Included

  • BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium, 500 mL (Catalog #05790)
  • NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement, 10 mL (Catalog #05711)

What Our Scientist Says

I want to help neuroscientists like you create more physiological culture conditions, for more active and healthy neuronal cultures.

Carmen MakScientist
Carmen Mak, Scientist

Overview

Culture primary or human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons long term in a medium optimized to promote, rather than inhibit neuronal activity and maturity.

For your convenience, BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and SM1 Kit includes both serum-free BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium (basal medium) and NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement, a Brewer's B27-based supplement (Brewer et al. J Neurosci Res., 1993) that ensures cell health and encourages neurite outgrowth and branching in short- and long-term serum-free cultures. Based on the formulation by Bardy and Gage (Bardy et al. PNAS, 2015), BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium mimics the extracellular environment of the central nervous system (CNS) to yield a higher proportion of synaptically active neurons.

Use BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and SM1 Kit to culture primary CNS-derived neurons or embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived neurons. To avoid shocking your cells with media changes, you can also use this culture system 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.
Subtype
Basal Media, Specialized Media
Cell Type
Neural Cells, PSC-Derived, Neurons, Pluripotent Stem Cells
Species
Human, Mouse, Rat
Application
Cell Culture, Differentiation, Maintenance
Brand
BrainPhys
Area of Interest
Disease Modeling, Drug Discovery and Toxicity Testing, Neuroscience, Stem Cell Biology
Formulation Category
Serum-Free

Data Figures

Table 1. Properties of Culture Media (C Bardy et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2015)

Check-mark denotes physiological conditions

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

Rodent Neurons Matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium

Figure 1. Protocol for Plating and Culturing Primary Neurons with the SM1 Culture System

Primary rodent tissue dissociated in papain was plated in NeuroCult™ Neuronal Plating Medium, supplemented with NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement, L-Glutamine, and L-Glutamic Acid. On day 5, primary neurons were transitioned to BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium, supplemented with NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement, by performing half-medium changes every 3 - 4 days.

Rodent Neurons Matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium

Figure 2. 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.

Primary Neuronal Cultures Matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium Have Greater Numbers of Neurons

Figure 3. The SM1 Culture System Supports Long-Term Culture of Rodent Neurons

Primary E18 rat cortical neurons were cultured in the SM1 Culture System. A large number of viable neurons are visible after (A) 21 and (B) 35 days, as demonstrated by their bright neuronal cell bodies, and extensive neurite outgrowth and branching. Neurons are evenly distributed over the culture surface with minimal cell clumping.

Rodent Neuronal Cultures Matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium Show Improved Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Activity

Figure 4. Pre- and Post-Synaptic Markers are Expressed in Rodent Neurons Cultured in the SM1 Culture System

Primary E18 rat cortical neurons were cultured in the SM1 Culture System. At 21 DIV, neurons are phenotypically mature, as indicated by the presence of an extensive dendritic arbor, and appropriate expression and localization of pre-synaptic synapsin (A,C; green) and post-synaptic PSD-95 (A,B; red) markers. Synapsin is concentrated in discrete puncta distributed along the somata and dendritic processes, as defined by the dendritic marker MAP2 (A,D; blue).

Expression of Pre-Synaptic Markers in Rodent Neurons Matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium

Figure 5. The SM1 Culture System Supports Increased Cell Survival

(A) Primary E18 rat cortical neurons were cultured in the SM1 Culture System or a Competitor Culture System for 21 days. Neurons cultured in the SM1 Culture System have a significantly higher number of viable cells compared to the competitor culture system (n = 4; mean ± 95% CI; *p < 0.05). (B) Primary E18 rat cortical neurons were cultured in Neurobasal® supplemented with NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement (SM1) or competitor B27-like supplements (Competitor 1,2,3) for 21 days. Cultures supplemented with NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement have an equal number of neurons compared to competitor-supplemented cultures. Bars represent standard error of mean.

Raster plots showing activity of neurons cultured in BrainPhys and SM1 versus commercial media

Figure 6. BrainPhys™ Supports Improved Neuronal Activity and More Consistent Network Bursting in Long-Term Culture

Raster plots from MEA recordings show the firing patterns of primary E18 rat cortical neurons across 8 electrodes at Weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8. Neurons were either cultured with a Commercial Medium with Supplements, Commercial Medium Plus with Supplements, BrainPhys™ and SM1, or BrainPhys™ and SM1 with 15 mM glucose. Detected spikes (black lines), single channel bursts (blue lines; a collection of at least 5 spikes, each separated by an ISI of no more than 100 ms), and network bursts (magenta boxes; a collection of at least 50 spikes from a minimum of 35% of participating electrodes across each well, each separated by an ISI of no more than 100 ms) were recorded for each medium. (A-D) Neurons cultured with Commercial Medium exhibited network bursting in Week 2 but no spiking activity was detected in subsequent timepoints. (E-H) In Commercial Medium Plus-cultured neurons, a high number of spikes and regular network bursting were detected at Week 2. A decreased number of spikes and inconsistent network bursting were observed in later time points, corresponding to the drop in MFR seen in Figure 4. (I-L) Without glucose, individual spiking was observed at Weeks 2 and 4 with BrainPhys™ and SM1 but network bursting was not detected until Weeks 6 and 8. (M-T) In contrast, neurons cultured with BrainPhys™ and SM1 with 15 mM glucose demonstrated strong spiking activity and consistent network bursting at all timepoints. MEA = microelectrode array; ISI = inter-spike interval; MFR = mean firing rate

MEA data showing mean firing rate of rodent primary neurons cultured in BrainPhys and SM1 versus commercial media

Figure 7. Glucose Supplementation in BrainPhys™ Maintains Neuronal Activity Over 8 Weeks in Culture

Primary E18 rat cortical neurons were cultured with BrainPhys™ and SM1 or other commercially available culture systems for 8 weeks. Neuronal activity can be detected at Day 9 with BrainPhys™, whereas activity is not detected until Day 14 in cultures maintained in either of the Commercial Media with Commercial Supplements. For Commercial Medium and Supplement-cultured neurons, mean firing rate remains low throughout culture. In contrast, a “peak-drop” activity pattern is observed in the Commercial Medium Plus condition, where mean firing rate increases rapidly within 2 days, followed by a drop in activity in the next 2 - 4 days. BrainPhys™and SM1 Kit with 15 mM glucose maintains the highest level of activity throughout the 8-week culture period.

hPSC-Derived Neurons Generated in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium Express Markers of Neuronal Maturity After 14 and 44 Days of Differentiation

Figure 8. hPSC-Derived Neurons Generated in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium Express Markers of Neuronal Maturity After 14 and 44 Days of Differentiation

NPCs were generated from H9 cells using STEMdiff™ Neural Induction Medium in an embryoid body-based protocol. Next, NPCs were cultured in (A,C) 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,D) DMEM/F12 under the same supplementation conditions. After 14 and 44 days of differentiation and maturation, neurons express the synaptic marker Synapsin 1 (green) and the mature neuronal marker MAP2 (red). In this example, neurons matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium show increased Synapsin 1 staining. Scale bar= 100 µm

hPSC-Derived Neurons Generated in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and NeuroCult™ SM1 and N2 Supplements are Healthy and Morphologically Normal

Figure 9. 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.

hPSC-Derived Neurons Matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium Show Improved Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Activity

Figure 10. hPSC-Derived Neurons Matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium Show Improved Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Activity

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,C) 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,D) in DMEM/F12 under the same supplementation conditions. (A,C) Neurons matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium showed spontaneous excitatory (AMPA-mediated; A) and inhibitory (GABA-mediated; C) synaptic events. The frequency and amplitude of spontaneous synaptic events is consistently greater in neuronal cultures matured in BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium, compared to neurons plated and matured in DMEM/F12 (B,D). Traces are representative.

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 #
05792
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05792
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05792
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 (56)

Low‐Glucose Culture Conditions Bias Neuronal Energetics Towards Oxidative Phosphorylation S. Swain et al. Journal of Neurochemistry 2025 Jun

Abstract

ABSTRACTNeurons are almost exclusively cultured in media containing glucose at much higher concentrations than found in the brain. To test whether these “standard” hyperglycemic culture conditions affect neuronal respiration relative to near‐euglycemic conditions, we compared neuronal cultures grown with minimal glial contamination from the hippocampus and cortex of neonatal C57BL/6NCrl mice in standard commercially available media (25 mM Glucose) and in identical media with 5 mM glucose. Neuronal growth in both glucose concentrations proceeded until at least 14 days in vitro, with similar morphology and synaptogenesis. Neurons grown in high glucose were highly dependent on glycolysis as their primary source of ATP, measured using ATP luminescence and cellular respirometry assays. In contrast, neurons grown in 5 mM glucose showed a more balanced dependence on glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), greater reserve mitochondrial respiration capacity, and increased mitochondrial population relative to standard media. Our results show that neurons cultured in artificially high glucose‐containing media preferentially use glycolysis, opposite to what is known for neurons in vivo as the primary pathway for ATP maintenance. Changes in gene and protein expression levels corroborate these changes in function and additionally suggest that high glucose culture media increases neuronal inflammation. We suggest using neuronal culture systems in 5 mM glucose to better represent physiologically relevant neuronal respiration. Historically, in vitro primary neuronal cultures include 25 mM glucose, making it artificially hyperglycemic. In this article, Swain, et al., show that relatively pure forebrain neuronal cultures can be grown and maintained in 5 mM glucose media for up to 2 weeks, with negligible effects on morphology or synaptogenesis. However, oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial content are upregulated, and glycolysis is suppressed, relative to “standard” culture media. This report opens an experimental window to re‐test questions regarding neuronal respiration and function in disease states, using culture conditions that more closely mimic neuronal respiration in vivo.
Far-red fluorescent genetically encoded calcium ion indicators R. Dalangin et al. Nature Communications 2025 Apr

Abstract

Genetically encoded calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) indicators (GECIs) are widely-used molecular tools for functional imaging of Ca 2+ dynamics and neuronal activities with single-cell resolution. Here we report the design and development of two far-red fluorescent GECIs, FR-GECO1a and FR-GECO1c, based on the monomeric far-red fluorescent proteins mKelly1 and mKelly2. FR-GECOs have excitation and emission maxima at ~596 nm and ~644 nm, respectively, display large responses to Ca 2+ in vitro (Δ F / F 0 = 6 for FR-GECO1a, 18 for FR-GECO1c), are bright under both one-photon and two-photon illumination, and have high affinities (apparent K d = 29 nM for FR-GECO1a, 83 nM for FR-GECO1c) for Ca 2+ . FR-GECOs offer sensitive and fast detection of single action potentials in neurons, and enable in vivo all-optical manipulation and measurement of cellular activities in combination with optogenetic actuators. Subject terms: Fluorescent proteins, Optogenetics, Zebrafish, Molecular neuroscience, Calcium signalling
Monitoring of activity-driven trafficking of endogenous synaptic proteins through proximity labeling C. Pascual-Caro et al. PLOS Biology 2024 Oct

Abstract

To enable transmission of information in the brain, synaptic vesicles fuse to presynaptic membranes, liberating their content and exposing transiently a myriad of vesicular transmembrane proteins. However, versatile methods for quantifying the synaptic translocation of endogenous proteins during neuronal activity remain unavailable, as the fast dynamics of synaptic vesicle cycling difficult specific isolation of trafficking proteins during such a transient surface exposure. Here, we developed a novel approach using synaptic cleft proximity labeling to capture and quantify activity-driven trafficking of endogenous synaptic proteins at the synapse. We show that accelerating cleft biotinylation times to match the fast dynamics of vesicle exocytosis allows capturing endogenous proteins transiently exposed at the synaptic surface during neural activity, enabling for the first time the study of the translocation of nearly every endogenous synaptic protein. As proof-of-concept, we further applied this technology to obtain direct evidence of the surface translocation of noncanonical trafficking proteins, such as ATG9A and NPTX1, which had been proposed to traffic during activity but for which direct proof had not yet been shown. The technological advancement presented here will facilitate future studies dissecting the molecular identity of proteins exocytosed at the synapse during activity, helping to define the molecular machinery that sustains neurotransmission in the mammalian brain.