Plant gene expression by the roots

Nerve cells are complex cells with highly specialized functions. Not only are nerve cells from different regions of the nervous system functionally heterogeneous, but each individual cell also contains distinct regions that perform specific functions. Consequently, the nerve cell soma, dendrites and axons all express different proteins that are required for the specific tasks they perform, making it quite difficult to study these fascinating cells. Noo Li Jeon and his team demonstrate an easily manufactured microfluidic device that allows a researcher to effectively isolate axons from the soma and dendrites in living primary nerve cells. This device should prove quite useful in studies of axonal function as well as nerve damage and regeneration. Article p599