Neutral protease I (Dispase I) is a rapid, effective, and mild neutral protease used to separate the epidermal layer from the dermal layer. It can also separate intact epithelial cell layers from cultures without affecting the vitality of epithelial cells, even while digesting the basement membrane area. Additionally, Neutral protease I prevents cell clumping in suspension cultures and can hydrolyze fibronectin and type IV collagen, but it does not hydrolyze laminin, type V collagen, serum albumin, or transferrin.