Separation of a process from the neuronal cell body using a thin aluminum foil separator

A new technique using a simple-structured separator is described to separate the end of the process from the cell body (soma) of cultured cells. By this method, stimulation limited to neuronal processes is experimentally possible. The separator is of an oblong shape and consists of two parts: a square bracket-shaped frame made of Teflon and a thin aluminum foil which is stuck on both free ends of frame (bracket) coated with epoxy-resin. The separator is horizontally placed on the dish under microscope to divide the process on the way, so that the free end of the process is outside the oblong separator. This separator is simple and low cost, and does not need a long process, unlike other methods requiring a special culture dish with a micro-groove for growth of the neuronal process (neurite). The new technique could be useful in basic pain research and neurophysiology.