Abstract: ObjectiveTo establish a method of isolation and culture of neural stem cells(NSCs). MethodsTissues of ventral midbrain were isolated from a rat embryo,and the NSCs were cultured stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)in vitro.The cells were identified by immunocytochemistry.ResultsNSCs proliferated into neurosphere in symmetric and non-symmetric cleavage ways,and differentiated into neuron, astroglia and oligodendrosyte. ConclusionsThe method has been established to isolate and culture the neural stem cells.

Key words: ventral midbrain of rat embryo, neural stem cell, isolation, culture