It allows users to choose parameters how probe sets are built. One allowed combination of parameters, in their paper called “transcriptunique probe sets”, is similar to the probe set definition used in our present study. However, we excluded probes having an alignment with one mismatch and used Ensembl instead of RefSeq. AffyProbeMiner defines 10,226 probe sets, whereas our approach yields 7,941 probe sets probe sets are identical between the two approaches). Lu et al. also reported a similar approach but using AceView as the reference database. The longer processes found after mitogens starvation can be explained by the fact that some growth factors that affect neurite extension are up regulated. For instance, PDGFb and IGF-1 promote neurite outgrowth. Given our finding of a significant increase in those growth factors expression after mitogens removal, we suggest that PDGFb and IGF-1 could be partially responsible for neurite extension in the MFM group. In addition, before starvation, processes lacked a clear orientation in relation to the neurosphere, while after starvation a substantial number of processes could be seen radially oriented from the neurospheres. These features could be relevant for priming the cells just before implantation in a GDC-0879 different environment in the course of regenerative strategies. Indeed, altering the conditions to which NPC are subjected just prior to being implanted in an injured structure might be critical for defining its potential for survival and integration. Here we did not evaluate whether or not this potential translates to the same effect in vivo. Yet, our data prompt us to hypothesize that growth factors starvation prior to NPC transplantation might enhance the ability of these cells to graft and provide functional recovery. They could show that cross-platform comparability is improved when the transcriptome is analyzed by a transcript-specific approach and a minimum probe set size of four is used. Our group recently reported a study showing improved elucidation of biological processes by singleprobe analysis. In this study a commercially available software, ChipInspector, was used, which also employs a re-annotation of probe sequences but uses in house annotation and does not employ probe set definition. A minimal number of TTAGGG tandem repeats and the integrity of a six-protein complex known as shelterin are required to ensure telomere protection. If telomere function is compromised, i.e., by altering shelterin components or by severe telomere erosion, a robust DNA damage response is activated leading to cellular senescence and/or apoptotic responses. Interestingly, an age-dependent accumulation cells with damaged telomeres has been reported in primates, suggesting that telomere dysfunction may act as a chronological clock.