Nat Methods. 2005 Aug;2(8):599-605. A microfluidic culture platform for CNS axonal injury, regeneration and transport. Taylor AM, Blurton-Jones M, Rhee SW, Cribbs DH, Cotman CW, Jeon NL. A neuron consists of three major structures:  Dendrites, the Cell Body or Soma, and a long process known as an axon. Above:  E18 Cortical Rat Neurons stained with Map2 (green) and Map5 (red) In typical neuronal cultures cells are dissociated and seeded into an appropriate culture vessel.   In this type of culture the neurons processes (dendrites, axons) grow in a disorganized manner.  Dendrites, Axons, and Cell Bodies are intermingled throughout the culture area. Above:  E18 Cortical Rat Neurons stained with Map2 (green) and Map5 (red) cultured in Xona Microfluidics’ Standard Neuron Device.  Neurons were seeded in the left compartment.  Axons and dendrites grow into the microgroove barrier with axons emerging into the compartment on the right. Xona Microfludics’ neuron devices make it possible for researches to add some organization to their neuron cultures.  As seen above, neurons seeded in the left compartment grow process and axons through the microgroove barrier into the adjacent compartment.  This allows the researcher to separate axons from dendrites and cell bodies in culture.  The linear arrangement of the axons lends itself to the observation of axonal transport. Further, the microgroove barrier which separates the two culture compartments allows for fluidic isolation between the chambers.  This makes it possible for the researcher to apply treatments to either the somal compartment or axonal compartment and observe the effects.