Neuronal differentiation of stem cells
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to compositions and methods for culturing stem cells, such that neuronal differentiation can be achieved.
1. A method for inducing stem cells to differentiate into neuronal cells comprising:
a) culturing said stem cells with basic fibroblast growth factor;
b) culturing the cells of step a) with fibroblast growth factor 8 and Sonic Hedgehog;
c) culturing the cells of step b) with brain-derived neurotrophic factor; and
d) co-culturing the cells of step c) with astrocytes;
wherein said cells are cultured according to steps 1) through d) for at least seven days at each step.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stem cells are mammalian stem cells.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stem cells are human stem cells.
4. A method for inducing cells to differentiate into neuronal cells comprising co-culturing the cells with astrocytes, said cells having gone through the steps of
a) culturing stem cells with basic fibroblast growth factor;
b) culturing the cells of step a) with fibroblast growth factor 8 and Sonic Hedgehog; and
c) culturing the cells of step b) with brain-derived neurotrophic factor;
wherein said cells are cultured according to steps a) through c) for at least seven days at each step.