Neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells

This picture appeared in the 14th edition of El·lipse, the PRBB monthly newspaper.

This picture, taken by my good friend Sabrina Desbordes, of the hematopoietic stem cell biology and differentiation group at the CRG, shows colonies of neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) using specific common protocols. Neurons (seen in green) are obtained after two weeks of differentiation on stromal cells, which confer a neural fate to mESCs. Using adequate cytokine cocktails, different neuronal cell types can be differentiated. The nuclei of the cells are stained in blue.