We enjoy developing new tools to understand brain vascular cells. To that end, please see our resources below.

1. Profiling human brain vascular cells using single-cell transcriptomics and organoids, from Crouch et al, Nat Protocols 2023. This protocol extension from our 2015 Protocol paper (see #3 below) describes how to use FACS, single cell RNA sequencing, and cell culture models including organoids to study human brain vascular cells. We worked hard to provide as much clarity as possible to all of these different techniques. Please feel free to give us feedback if we didn't achieve that goal. 

2. Single-cell RNA sequencing data of endothelial and mural cells from the second trimester, from Crouch et al, Cell 2022. Thanks to Max Haeussler and the other excellent genomics scientists at UCSC, we have built a cell browser. Interrogate the data and email elizabeth (dot) crouch (at) ucsf.edu for burning questions. 

3. FACS purification of adult mouse brain endothelial and mural cells. Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting is a precise method to isolate and profile cells. Vascular cells seem to tolerate it well and produce beautiful sequencing data or can be cultured after their purification. FACS is not cheap, but it allows you to isolate the best possible yield from small brain regions and capture all the cells of interest. The Nature Protocol is linked to above, and the original Journal of Neuroscience paper is here. Small details can be important so again, email elizabeth (dot) crouch (at) ucsf.edu if you're having difficulty.