Dissociation and reaggregation of Hydra vulgaris for studies of self-organization

Jonathan R Lovas; Rafael Yuste

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101504

Dissociation and reaggregation of Hydra vulgaris for studies of self-organization

STAR Protoc. 2022 Aug 18;3(3):101504. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101504. eCollection 2022 Sep 16.

Authors

Jonathan R Lovas¹, Rafael Yuste²

Affiliations

¹ Neurotechnology Center, Department Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02354, USA. Electronic address: jl4548@columbia.edu.
² Neurotechnology Center, Department Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02354, USA.

Abstract

The remarkable regenerative abilities of the small cnidarian Hydra vulgaris include the capacity to reassemble itself after dissociation into individual cells. Here, we present a robust protocol for the dissociation and reaggregation of Hydra tissue that addresses many common challenges encountered during the preparation and execution of the dissociation, as well as the formation and care of regenerating cellular aggregates. Analysis of the process provides insight into the mechanisms of nervous system self-organization. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lovas and Yuste (2021).

Keywords: Cell Biology; Cell culture; Cell isolation; Cell-based Assays; Developmental biology; Model Organisms; Neuroscience.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Hydra* / physiology