Nuclei Isolation Protocol for Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing of Human Stem Cell-Derived Grafts

Single-nucleus RNA sequencing enables high-resolution transcriptomic profiling of brain tissue, facilitating detailed analysis of cell identity in models of neurodegeneration and repair. Here, we describe a protocol for isolating nuclei from long-term human stem cell-derived grafts in the rat brain, incorporating vibratome sectioning, graft dissection, nuclear extraction, and fluorescence-activated sorting. This workflow supports analysis of human neurons embedded within host tissue or sensitive to dissociation, offering a powerful approach to assess graft composition, integration, and neuronal identity in living brain.