BrainPhys Neuronal Medium and SM1 Kit

The BrainPhys Neuronal Medium and SM1 Kit from STEMCELL Technologies is a complete culture system engineered for primary neuron cultures and neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This serum-free, chemically defined medium was formulated to mimic the physiological composition of cerebrospinal fluid, supporting neuronal viability, synaptic activity, and spontaneous network firing across extended culture periods. The kit is a widely adopted platform for neuroscience research, disease modeling, and neuropharmacological screening.

The kit pairs the BrainPhys basal medium with the SM1 neuronal supplement, which provides the growth factors, antioxidants, and additives essential for neuronal maturation and long-term survival. Together, these components sustain functional levels of synaptic transmission and electrophysiological activity without the variability introduced by animal sera. Researchers employ this system for culturing cortical, hippocampal, dopaminergic, and motor neurons, and for maintaining human iPSC-derived neuron cultures over multiple weeks with consistent experimental outcomes.

Supplied as a liquid kit containing 500 mL of basal medium plus the SM1 supplement vial, the system supports standard cell culture workflows in incubators maintained at 37°C with 5% CO2. The supplement requires refrigerated storage and should be protected from light; once combined, the working medium is best used within two weeks for optimal performance.

This kit has been cited in peer-reviewed studies examining Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease models, autism spectrum disorder research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis investigations, and central nervous system drug discovery applications.