L-DOPA, 5 g

L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is the direct biochemical precursor to dopamine and a critical small molecule in neuroscience research. This reagent is widely used in Parkinson's disease modeling and in protocols for the differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons from pluripotent stem cells, where it supports the specification and maturation of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neuronal populations in vitro.

Supplied by STEMCELL Technologies as 5 g of crystalline powder in a single bottle, the compound has a molecular weight of 197.19 g/mol and is readily soluble in water and dilute mineral acid. Researchers typically prepare 10 to 50 mM aqueous stock solutions, filter-sterilize, and store working aliquots at -20 °C protect from light to preserve the catechol moiety from oxidation during freeze-thaw cycles.

Beyond neuronal differentiation, L-DOPA is used to investigate aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity, dopamine biosynthesis pathways, and oxidative stress linked to catecholamine metabolism. It is intended for research use only and is not approved for diagnostic or therapeutic applications.