Analyzing Neural Stem Cell Reactivation in Cultured Drosophila Brain Explants

Dissect the brains out of the larvae placed in the second glass watch dish with SSM, using forceps under a dissecting microscope and adjusting the magnification as needed. Use one forceps to grab the mouth hooks, and with the other, gently grab the body halfway down, and pull in the opposite direction to split the larva into two pieces. After dissecting 15 to 20 brains, add 1 milliliter of SSM into one well of a sterile 24-well culture tray. Using a micropipette and a sterile tip, transfer the freshly dissected brains into the SSM, followed by incubation of the media with brains for 24 hours at 25 degrees Celsius.