Dissection and Isolation of Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglia

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which contain the cell bodies of primary sensory neurons, serve as critical relay structures for the transmission of sensory signals from peripheral tissues to the spinal cord. They play essential roles in studies of pain, nerve injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. The acquisition of intact DRG tissue is crucial for investigating the functional properties, molecular expression, and pathological alterations of sensory neurons. However, due to their small size and deep location within the vertebral canal, accurate identification and isolation of DRG present significant technical challenges. In this study, we developed a standardized protocol for the isolation of mouse DRG. This method provides a detailed description of the anatomical localization of DRG, exposure of the vertebral canal, and the key steps involved in ganglion isolation. The entire procedure is illustrated with representative images and video recordings. This approach supports the acquisition of structurally intact DRG with anatomical guidance for segmental identification and is suitable for H&E staining and immunofluorescence analysis. Compared with previous DRG dissection methods, this method allows standardized recovery of segmentally identified ganglia, provides intuitive anatomical guidance for novice users, and reduces procedural tissue injury.