FIGURE A2.

Representative DRG growth at the time of RNA isolation. Biologically paired ipsi- and contralateral cervical DRG explants from a single E15.5 rat pup were cultured for 13 DIV statically (sham) or within bioreactors (axon stretch-growth). While only a single explant is shown for each condition, five explants were seeded per Aclar manipulating substrate adjacent one another, with equivalent growth from each explant verified by phase contrast microscopy. Sham cultures were created by adhering Aclar manipulating and underlying stationary substrates into 35 mm petri dishes, replicating the substrates used in bioreactors. ^∗Indicates original DRG seeding location atop Aclar manipulating substrates; Arrows indicate the final location of the axon terminals following 13 days in culture.