Primary Dissociated Astrocyte and Neuron Co-culture

We describe a method to isolate and co-culture dissociated hippocampal neurons and cortical astrocytes from young mice (E17 and newborn, respectively). This protocol is useful to investigate the effects of astrocytes on the developmental biology of neurons. By independently isolating the astrocytes and neurons (with different genetic backgrounds) from different mice, an in vitro environment can be created where one cell type is deficient in a gene or protein of interest. For example, this method is well suited to examine the effect of a genetic mutation in astrocytes on the development of neuronal processes and synapses.