Human neural progenitor cells (NPCs)

Sample type
Human neural progenitor cells (NPCs) cultured in a 3D protein-engineered hydrogel microenvironment designed to mimic key biochemical and biomechanical features of brain extracellular matrix.

1. Cell source
   Human iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (human-relevant model).

2. Culture format
   Encapsulated NPCs in 3D hydrogels

3. Staining / markers (ICC/IF)

   🟢 βIII-Tubulin (TUBB3): neuronal differentiation and neurite extension

   🔴 F-actin (phalloidin): cytoskeletal organization and cell morphology

   🔵 DAPI: nuclear identification

4. Microscopy & imaging
   High-resolution confocal microscopy, visualization of cellular architecture within a 3D volume.

This image shows human neural progenitor cells cultured in a 3D, protein-engineered microenvironment, where immunofluorescence reveals neuronal differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and network formation at single-cell resolution.

By preserving spatial organization and protein localization, IF uncovers structural and signaling information that bulk and non-spatial assays cannot detect, enabling biologically meaningful insight in physiologically relevant models.