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Updated: May 8, 2026

Neural-Colony Forming Cell Assay: An Assay To Discriminate Bona Fide Neural Stem Cells from Neural Progenitor Cells

Neural-Colony Forming Cell Assay: An Assay To Discriminate Bona Fide Neural Stem Cells from Neural Progenitor Cells

Published on: March 6, 2011

Enumerating stem cell frequency: neural colony forming cell assay.

Sharon A Louis¹, Carmen K H Mak

¹STEMCELL Technologies Inc., Vancouver, Canada.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|August 13, 2013

Summary

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The Neural Colony Forming Cell (NCFC) assay offers a more reliable method for quantifying neural stem cells (NSCs) compared to traditional neurosphere assays. This advancement improves the accuracy of measuring NSC numbers for potential therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Stem Cell Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Neurosphere assays are commonly used for neural stem cell (NSC) research but have limitations in accurately quantifying NSC frequency.
Several parameters within the neurosphere culture system can lead to unreliable quantitative results.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and validate the Neural Colony Forming Cell (NCFC) assay as a more reliable alternative to the neurosphere assay.
To improve the accuracy of quantifying neural stem cell numbers in vitro.

Main Methods:

Development of a single-step, semi-solid based assay, the NCFC assay.
Utilizing colony size produced by cells to discriminate between neural stem cells and progenitors based on their proliferative potential.

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Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays

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Isolation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells from the Periventricular Region of the Adult Rat and Human Spinal Cord

Isolation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells from the Periventricular Region of the Adult Rat and Human Spinal Cord

Published on: May 14, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Neural-Colony Forming Cell Assay: An Assay To Discriminate Bona Fide Neural Stem Cells from Neural Progenitor Cells

Neural-Colony Forming Cell Assay: An Assay To Discriminate Bona Fide Neural Stem Cells from Neural Progenitor Cells

Published on: March 6, 2011

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays

Published on: October 4, 2016

Isolation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells from the Periventricular Region of the Adult Rat and Human Spinal Cord

Isolation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells from the Periventricular Region of the Adult Rat and Human Spinal Cord

Published on: May 14, 2015

Main Results:

The NCFC assay provides a more accurate measurement of neural stem cell numbers compared to the neurosphere assay.
The assay allows for the differentiation of neural stem cells from progenitors based on colony size, reflecting proliferative capacity.

Conclusions:

The NCFC assay overcomes key limitations of the neurosphere assay for quantitative NSC analysis.
Improved tissue culture tools like the NCFC assay advance the therapeutic applications of neural stem cells.