Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
10:47
Efficient Derivation of Human Neuronal Progenitors and Neurons from Pluripotent Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Small Molecule Induction
Published on: October 28, 2011
15.9K
Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Peripheral Sensory Neurons derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Abdullah Jawad Alshawaf1,2,3, Serena Viventi1,4, Wanzhi Qiu1,5
1Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Scientific Reports
|January 14, 2018
Summary
Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) efficiently generate diverse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons. These hESC-derived neurons exhibit spontaneous firing within weeks, offering a valuable in vitro model for studying human sensory neuron subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contain diverse sensory neurons crucial for transmitting stimuli like pain and temperature.
- Human DRG research is limited, with most knowledge derived from animal models.
- Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) offer a promising avenue to study human DRG sensory neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the sensory neuronal subtypes derived from hESC.
- To assess the maturation and functional activity of hESC-derived DRG sensory neurons.
- To establish an in vitro platform for investigating human DRG sensory neuron diversity.
Main Methods:
- Differentiation of hESC into neural crest and DRG sensory neurons.
- Phenotypic and functional analyses to identify neuronal subtypes.
- Microelectrode array recordings to monitor neuronal maturation and firing activity over 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- The hESC differentiation system yields heterogeneous populations of sensory neuronal subtypes.
- Spontaneous neuronal firing was observed starting around 12 days post-differentiation.
- Maximum firing activity was reached approximately 6 weeks post-differentiation.
Conclusions:
- hESC provide an efficient method for generating diverse human DRG sensory neuron subtypes.
- hESC-derived sensory neurons mature and exhibit functional activity in vitro.
- This platform facilitates the study of human DRG sensory neuron diversity and function.
Related Concept Videos
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
32.7K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.7K
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
5.3K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
5.3K
01:31What is a Sensory System?
101.5K
Sensory systems detect stimuli—such as light and sound waves—and transduce them into neural signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system. In addition to external stimuli detected by the senses, some sensory systems detect internal stimuli—such as the proprioceptors in muscles and tendons that send feedback about limb position.
101.5K
01:16Sensory Functions of the Skin
8.5K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
8.5K
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
28.2K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
28.2K
01:26Derivatives of the Trigonometric Functions
500
The motion of a Ferris wheel rotating at a constant speed provides an intuitive model for understanding trigonometric functions and their derivatives. As a rider moves along the circular path, the vertical height above the ground changes smoothly and periodically over time. This vertical motion can be accurately represented by a sine function, reflecting the repeating pattern of ascent and descent inherent to circular motion.Height and Rate of ChangeIf the rider’s height is modeled by a...
500