STEMdiff Midbrain Neuron Maturation Kit

From STEMCELL Technologies, this maturation kit is the second stage of a two-part system and is designed to convert midbrain-patterned neural precursors—generated with the company's Midbrain Neuron Differentiation Kit—into functional midbrain-type neurons, including dopaminergic neurons. The workflow supports downstream applications such as modeling human neurological development and disease, drug screening, toxicity testing, and cell therapy validation. The media produce a population of midbrain neurons with ≥ 90% class III β-tubulin-positive neurons, ≥ 15% Tyrosine Hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic neurons, and < 10% GFAP-positive astrocytes. Resulting cultures also express dopamine transporters (DAT). Neurons matured with this kit exhibit functional voltage-gated potassium and sodium channels, as demonstrated by whole-cell voltage-clamp measurements after 35 days in maturation medium, and are capable of spontaneous action potential firing with resting membrane potentials of approximately −55 mV.

The kit comprises BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium and the Midbrain Neuron Maturation Supplement, with the basal medium stored at 2–8 °C and the supplement stored at −20 °C. Both components are stable for 12 months from the date of manufacture. Materials required but not included cover coating reagents (poly-L-ornithine and laminin), culture medium additives such as Human Recombinant Shh (C24II), DMEM/F-12 with HEPES, ACCUTASE™, and Trypan Blue. A California Proposition 65 warning applies, as the product can expose users to Progesterone, a chemical known to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.