Stimulating Neuronal Cell Differentiation Using Gold Nanorods

Source: Paviolo., et al. Gold nanorod-assisted optical stimulation of neuronal cells. J. Vis. Exp. (2015). This video demonstrates a technique to promote neuronal differentiation by exposing nerve cells to gold nanorods and laser light, which forms cell projections supported by the βIII-tubulin. Staining and observing tubulin and the cell nucleus with epifluorescence microscopy reveals the cell outgrowths, indicating the nanorods' efficacy in neuronal differentiation.