basic definitions question - (Feb/02/2009 )

I know this is probably a really basic question, but can someone please explain the difference between a neuroblast and a neurosphere?
Thanks

than4 on Feb 2 2009, 07:37 AM said:

In development, you have a cluster of cells that could differentiate into neuroblasts, which then turn differentiate into neurons. This cluster of cells is the neurosphere I think. Out of this group of cells only one actually differentiates into a neuroblast though, and this is established through the Delta-Notch signalling pathway. So the one that actually becomes the neuroblast will differentiate into a neuron and the rest will become other neural cells, like glia.

kfunk106 on Feb 7 2009, 03:28 AM said:

neuroblast: stem cell dedicated to becoming a neuron

neurosphere: What you get when you grow neural stem cells in vitro

My lab routinely cultures neurospheres. Neurospheres are when you dissociate embryonic brains and culture the cells non-adherently. The result is progenitor populations (typically either glial or neuronal) and a small percentage of neural stem cells that grow in spheres. The thought is that these progenitors proliferate in these spheres and the rate of proliferation is a result of the number of neural stem cells (although I do not this is not entirely accurate). I agree with the definitions of neuroblast.

than4 on Feb 2 2009, 06:37 AM said: