Our research aims to characterize specific cell populations in the central nervous system, specifically the spinal cord, using preclinical models of disease. And we are trying to determine how these cells are affected under pathological conditions and at different time points. It can be challenging to analyze cells, especially in the central nervous system because the cells in the brain and spinal cord form a highly complex matrix and everything is very tightly connected, so it can be difficult to isolate these cells without damaging the system.
Our protocol addresses limitations in existing methods for studying spinal cord diseases by efficiently isolating viable microglia astrocytes from the small myelin-rich adult mouse spinal cord. This enables in vitro research on spinal cord related diseases in downstream analysis, filling a crucial research gap. This protocol presents several advantages such as analyzing astrocytes and microglia under pathological conditions and at specific time points.
It also uniquely focuses on isolating glial cells from this adult spinal cord alone, excluding brain involvement. This allows researchers to study spinal cord pathologies at the cellular level.
