BrainPhys™ Without Phenol Red is a defined and serum-free neuronal basal medium. BrainPhys™ Without Phenol Red may be used to culture primary neurons or neurons derived from human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Based on the formulation published by Cedric Bardy and Fred H. Gage (C Bardy et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2015), BrainPhys™ is more representative of the central nervous system extracellular environment and increases the proportion of synaptically active neurons. Applications of BrainPhys™ Without Phenol Red include culture of primary neurons, differentiation and maturation of human ES/iPS cell-derived neurons, microelectrode array-based recording of neuronal activity, live in vitro fluorescent imaging (including calcium imaging and optogenetic stimulation and recording) and transdifferentiation (lineage conversion) of somatic cells to neurons.

To ensure cell survival in long-term serum-free culture, BrainPhys™ Without Phenol Red must be combined with an appropriate serum-replacement supplement, such as NeuroCult™ SM1 Neuronal Supplement (Catalog #05711) and/or N2 Supplement-A (Catalog #07152).