Counting Human Neural Stem Cells

Summary

Knowledge of the exact number of viable cells is required for many tissue culture manipulations. This protocol describes how to differentiate between live and dead cells and quantify cells using a hemacytometer. Although it describes counting human neural stem/precursor cells (hNSPCs), it can be used for other cell types.

Abstract

Knowledge of the exact number of viable cells in a given volume of a cell suspension is required for many routine tissue culture manipulations, such as plating cells for immunocytochemistry or for cell transfections. This protocol describes a straightforward and fast method for differentiating between live and dead cells and quantifying the cell concentration and total cell number using a hemacytometer. This procedure first requires detaching cells from a growth surface and resuspending them in media. Next, the cells are diluted in a solution of Trypan blue (ideally to a concentration that will give 20-50 cells per quadrant) and placed in the hemacytometer. Finally, averaging the counts of viable cells in several randomly selected quadrants, dividing the average by the volume of one 1 mm² quadrant (0.1 μl) and multiplying by the dilution factor gives the number of cells per l. Multiplying this cell concentration by the total volume in μl gives the total cell number. This protocol describes counting human neural stem/precursor cells (hNSPCs), but can also be used for many other cell types.

Protocol

Passaging Human Neural Stem Cells

Note: Please refer to the Passaging Human Neural Stem Cells article on how to detach and resuspend the cells. https://www.jove.com/index/Details.stp?ID=263

Preparing the Cell Suspension for Counting

1. Place 25 µl of 0.4% Trypan Blue solution and 20 µl of cell media into an eppendorf tube.
2. Resuspend the cells to be counted by gently tapping the tube containing the cells in a known volume of media to create a homogenous suspensio....

Discussion

This protocol describes a straightforward and rapid way to determine the cell concentration for a variety of experiments involving cells. Using the shortcut described in 3d, one can quickly and accurately determine the cell concentration and total cell number in a given volume.

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Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Phase Contrast Hemacytometer	Tool	Hausser Scientific	02-671-54	Distributed by Fisher under the indicated catalog #
Trypan Blue Stain 0.4%	Reagent	GIBCO, by Life Technologies	15250-061	Distributed by Invitrogen under the indicated catalog #