Heparin is a mucopolysaccharide with anticoagulant properties. It supports the binding of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to its receptor and increases the stability of FGF. Heparin is used together with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and FGF in NeuroCult™ media for the culture of embryonic rat or adult human neural stem and progenitor cells, and adult mouse neural stem and progenitor cells.