Why don't nerospheres adhere to the bottom of the petri?

[hitmankratos]

Hi,

 

I was wondering how come neurospheres (generated by neural stem cells) don't adhere to the bottom of the petri dish? I thought all of the cells when they weren't clung to the petri dish meant the cells were dead...why isn't the case with stem cells?

 

Thanks in advance to all those of you who can answer !

[hitmankratos]

hmm seems like no one knows....

can anyone prove me wrong? xD

[CharonY]

Adhesion is not a function of cell viability but mostly due to formation of the extracellular matrix on which the cell settle. Depending on the surface coating of the dishes certain cells can also settle there. However, a number of cell types, including neurospheres are permanently or transiently free-floating and do not attach under certain conditions. It is assumed that for certain developmental or regenerative functions these cells travel to a specific point in the body, where they do their stuff. If they undergo differentiation they usually form an adhesive tissue again, though.

Edited August 26, 2010 by CharonY

[hitmankratos]

oooh okkay I see....

thank you very much. Very clear.