Benefits of Using the Invertebrate Model Organism C. Elegans in an Inquiry-Based Laboratory Activity

Teaching of Psychology ◽

10.1177/00986283211029649 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009862832110296

Author(s):

Angy J. Kallarackal

Keyword(s):

American Psychological Association ◽

Model Organism ◽

Learning Goals ◽

Research Skills ◽

Final Exam ◽

Laboratory Activity ◽

Writing Ability ◽

C Elegans ◽

Invertebrate Model ◽

Laboratory Experiences

Background: The goals of laboratory experiences include developing knowledge base, research skills, and scientific communication abilities. Objective: The aim was to assess an inquiry-based laboratory activity using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans in relation to learning goals. Method: Students in a Biopsychology laboratory course worked in groups to test the effect of various drugs (e.g., nicotine, ethanol, fluoxetine, and melatonin) on C. elegans behavior. The activity included literature review, experimental design, and a final lab report. A cumulative final exam included a synaptic communication question related to the content of the activity. Results: Students showed better retention of laboratory-related content compared to other topics from the course, as demonstrated through performance on the final exam and were able to replicate previous research demonstrating effects of drug on locomotion. However, students did not improve writing ability compared to performance on a previous American Psychological Association style lab report. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that using a student-designed, multi-week laboratory assignment in an undergraduate Biopsychology course supports the growth of psychology knowledge and the development of research skills. Teaching Implications: Instructors should consider using the described laboratory activity for biopsychology or behavioral neuroscience classes or consider similarly designed laboratory formats for other courses in Psychology.

Download Full-text

Healthspan Maintenance and Prevention of Parkinson’s-like Phenotypes with Hydroxytyrosol and Oleuropein Aglycone in C. elegans

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21072588 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

pp. 2588 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Giovanni Brunetti ◽

Gabriele Di Rosa ◽

Maria Scuto ◽

Manuela Leri ◽

Massimo Stefani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Olive Oil ◽

Dopaminergic Neurons ◽

Model Organism ◽

Full Potential ◽

Detoxifying Enzymes ◽

C Elegans ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Underlying Causes ◽

Invertebrate Model ◽

Rotenone Exposure

Numerous studies highlighted the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet (MD) in maintaining health, especially during ageing. Even neurodegeneration, which is part of the natural ageing process, as well as the foundation of ageing-related neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (PD), was successfully targeted by MD. In this regard, olive oil and its polyphenolic constituents have received increasing attention in the last years. Thus, this study focuses on two main olive oil polyphenols, hydroxytyrosol (HT) and oleuropein aglycone (OLE), and their effects on ageing symptoms with special attention to PD. In order to avoid long-lasting, expensive, and ethically controversial experiments, the established invertebrate model organism Caenorhabditis elegans was used to test HT and OLE treatments. Interestingly, both polyphenols were able to increase the survival after heat stress, but only HT could prolong the lifespan in unstressed conditions. Furthermore, in aged worms, HT and OLE caused improvements of locomotive behavior and the attenuation of autofluorescence as a marker for ageing. In addition, by using three different C. elegans PD models, HT and OLE were shown i) to enhance locomotion in worms suffering from α-synuclein-expression in muscles or rotenone exposure, ii) to reduce α-synuclein accumulation in muscles cells, and iii) to prevent neurodegeneration in α-synuclein-containing dopaminergic neurons. Hormesis, antioxidative capacities and an activity-boost of the proteasome & phase II detoxifying enzymes are discussed as potential underlying causes for these beneficial effects. Further biological and medical trials are indicated to assess the full potential of HT and OLE and to uncover their mode of action.

Download Full-text

Health and longevity studies in C. elegans: the “healthy worm database” reveals strengths, weaknesses and gaps of test compound-based studies

Biogerontology ◽

10.1007/s10522-021-09913-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 215-236

Author(s):

Nadine Saul ◽

Steffen Möller ◽

Francesca Cirulli ◽

Alessandra Berry ◽

Walter Luyten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthy Aging ◽

Model Organism ◽

Research Field ◽

Aging Research ◽

Genetic Manipulations ◽

C Elegans ◽

Starting Point ◽

Health Related ◽

Phenotype Measurement ◽

Or Gene

AbstractSeveral biogerontology databases exist that focus on genetic or gene expression data linked to health as well as survival, subsequent to compound treatments or genetic manipulations in animal models. However, none of these has yet collected experimental results of compound-related health changes. Since quality of life is often regarded as more valuable than length of life, we aim to fill this gap with the “Healthy Worm Database” (http://healthy-worm-database.eu). Literature describing health-related compound studies in the aging model Caenorhabditis elegans was screened, and data for 440 compounds collected. The database considers 189 publications describing 89 different phenotypes measured in 2995 different conditions. Besides enabling a targeted search for promising compounds for further investigations, this database also offers insights into the research field of studies on healthy aging based on a frequently used model organism. Some weaknesses of C. elegans-based aging studies, like underrepresented phenotypes, especially concerning cognitive functions, as well as the convenience-based use of young worms as the starting point for compound treatment or phenotype measurement are discussed. In conclusion, the database provides an anchor for the search for compounds affecting health, with a link to public databases, and it further highlights some potential shortcomings in current aging research.

Download Full-text

Wormicloud: a new text summarization tool based on word clouds to explore the C. elegans literature

Database ◽

10.1093/database/baab015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

Author(s):

Valerio Arnaboldi ◽

Jaehyoung Cho ◽

Paul W Sternberg

Keyword(s):

Search Engines ◽

Complex Structure ◽

Model Organism ◽

Gene Interaction ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Biomedical Literature ◽

C Elegans ◽

Word Clouds ◽

Scientific Papers ◽

Model Organism Databases

Abstract Finding relevant information from newly published scientific papers is becoming increasingly difficult due to the pace at which articles are published every year as well as the increasing amount of information per paper. Biocuration and model organism databases provide a map for researchers to navigate through the complex structure of the biomedical literature by distilling knowledge into curated and standardized information. In addition, scientific search engines such as PubMed and text-mining tools such as Textpresso allow researchers to easily search for specific biological aspects from newly published papers, facilitating knowledge transfer. However, digesting the information returned by these systems—often a large number of documents—still requires considerable effort. In this paper, we present Wormicloud, a new tool that summarizes scientific articles in a graphical way through word clouds. This tool is aimed at facilitating the discovery of new experimental results not yet curated by model organism databases and is designed for both researchers and biocurators. Wormicloud is customized for the Caenorhabditis elegans literature and provides several advantages over existing solutions, including being able to perform full-text searches through Textpresso, which provides more accurate results than other existing literature search engines. Wormicloud is integrated through direct links from gene interaction pages in WormBase. Additionally, it allows analysis on the gene sets obtained from literature searches with other WormBase tools such as SimpleMine and Gene Set Enrichment. Database URL: https://wormicloud.textpressolab.com

Download Full-text

Behavioral Effects of Volatile Anesthetics in Caenorhabditis elegans

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/00000542-199610000-00027 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 85 (4) ◽

pp. 901-912 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Michael C. Crowder ◽

Laynie D. Shebester ◽

Tim Schedl

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Time Course ◽

Model Organism ◽

Volatile Anesthetic ◽

Volatile Anesthetics ◽

Effective Concentration ◽

Forward Genetics ◽

C Elegans ◽

Median Effective Concentration

Background The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers many advantages as a model organism for studying volatile anesthetic actions. It has a simple, well-understood nervous system; it allows the researcher to do forward genetics; and its genome will soon be completely sequenced. C. elegans is immobilized by volatile anesthetics only at high concentrations and with an unusually slow time course. Here other behavioral dysfunctions are considered as anesthetic endpoints in C. elegans. Methods The potency of halothane for disrupting eight different behaviors was determined by logistic regression of concentration and response data. Other volatile anesthetics were also tested for some behaviors. Established protocols were used for behavioral endpoints that, except for pharyngeal pumping, were set as complete disruption of the behavior. Time courses were measured for rapid behaviors. Recovery from exposure to 1 or 4 vol% halothane was determined for mating, chemotaxis, and gross movement. All experiments were performed at 20 to 22 degrees C. Results The median effective concentration values for halothane inhibition of mating (0.30 vol%-0.21 mM), chemotaxis (0.34 vol%-0.24 mM), and coordinated movement (0.32 vol% - 0.23 mM) were similar to the human minimum alveolar concentration (MAC; 0.21 mM). In contrast, halothane produced immobility with a median effective concentration of 3.65 vol% (2.6 mM). Other behaviors had intermediate sensitivities. Halothane's effects reached steady-state in 10 min for all behaviors tested except immobility, which required 2 h. Recovery was complete after exposure to 1 vol% halothane but was significantly reduced after exposure to immobilizing concentrations. Conclusions Volatile anesthetics selectively disrupt C. elegans behavior. The potency, time course, and recovery characteristics of halothane's effects on three behaviors are similar to its anesthetic properties in vertebrates. The affected nervous system molecules may express structural motifs similar to those on vertebrate anesthetic targets.

Download Full-text

Hematopoiesis toxicity induced by CdTe quantum dots determined in an invertebrate model organism

Biomaterials ◽

10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.12.007 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (9) ◽

pp. 2942-2951 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Teng Liu ◽

Rui Xing ◽

Yan-Feng Zhou ◽

Jue Zhang ◽

Yuan-Yuan Su ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantum Dots ◽

Model Organism ◽

Cdte Quantum Dots ◽

Invertebrate Model

Download Full-text

Mask R-CNN Based C. Elegans Detection with a DIY Microscope

Biosensors ◽

10.3390/bios11080257 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 257

Author(s):

Sebastian Fudickar ◽

Eike Jannik Nustede ◽

Eike Dreyer ◽

Julia Bornhorst

Keyword(s):

Cell Biology ◽

High Throughput Screening ◽

Low Cost ◽

Image Acquisition ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Model Organism ◽

Large Data ◽

Data Set ◽

C Elegans ◽

Do It Yourself

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is an important model organism for studying molecular genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, and cell biology. Advantages of the model organism include its rapid development and aging, easy cultivation, and genetic tractability. C. elegans has been proven to be a well-suited model to study toxicity with identified toxic compounds closely matching those observed in mammals. For phenotypic screening, especially the worm number and the locomotion are of central importance. Traditional methods such as human counting or analyzing high-resolution microscope images are time-consuming and rather low throughput. The article explores the feasibility of low-cost, low-resolution do-it-yourself microscopes for image acquisition and automated evaluation by deep learning methods to reduce cost and allow high-throughput screening strategies. An image acquisition system is proposed within these constraints and used to create a large data-set of whole Petri dishes containing C. elegans. By utilizing the object detection framework Mask R-CNN, the nematodes are located, classified, and their contours predicted. The system has a precision of 0.96 and a recall of 0.956, resulting in an F1-Score of 0.958. Considering only correctly located C. elegans with an [email protected] IoU, the system achieved an average precision of 0.902 and a corresponding F1 Score of 0.906.

Download Full-text

OPTIONAL TRAINING AS A RESOURCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH COMPETENCE OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-7

BULLETIN Series of Pedagogical Sciences ◽

10.51889/2021-2.1728-5496.11 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 72 (2) ◽

pp. 91-96

Author(s):

K. Askarbekova ◽

◽

Z. Kanayeva ◽

O. Yaroshenko ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Education ◽

General Education ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Personal Development ◽

Learning Goals ◽

Educational Standards ◽

Research Skills ◽

Research Competence ◽

The World

This article examines the essence of the research abilities of students formed in elective classes in biology as a category and factor of personal development. The content of the curriculum in biology is also considered, and activities aimed at achieving learning goals that are related to the development of skills are included. In modern secondary education of Kazakhstan, modernization processes successfully implemented in recent years, is carried out with the aim of its integration into the world educational space and approximation to international educational standards on the approval of standard rules of activity by types of general education organizations for the purposeful formation of research skills of students, which is determined at the legislative level "Research competence in the classification of A.V. Khutorsky is considered as an integral part of cognitive competence, which includes elements of methodological, supra-subject, logical activities, methods of organizing goal-setting, planning, analysis, reflection.

Download Full-text

OPTIONAL TRAINING AS A RESOURCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OFRESEARCHCOMPETENCEOFSTUDENTSIN GRADES6-7

BULLETIN Series Psychology ◽

10.51889/2021-2.1728-7847.10 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

Author(s):

K. Askarbekova ◽

Keyword(s):

Secondary Education ◽

General Education ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Personal Development ◽

Learning Goals ◽

Educational Standards ◽

Research Skills ◽

Research Competence ◽

The World

Download Full-text

Stochastic left–right neuronal asymmetry in Caenorhabditis elegans

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2015.0407 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 371 (1710) ◽

pp. 20150407 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Amel Alqadah ◽

Yi-Wen Hsieh ◽

Rui Xiong ◽

Chiou-Fen Chuang

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Calcium Signalling ◽

Model Organism ◽

Brain Asymmetry ◽

C Elegans ◽

Left And Right ◽

Left Right Asymmetry ◽

Neuronal Asymmetry

Left–right asymmetry in the nervous system is observed across species. Defects in left–right cerebral asymmetry are linked to several neurological diseases, but the molecular mechanisms underlying brain asymmetry in vertebrates are still not very well understood. The Caenorhabditis elegans left and right amphid wing ‘C’ (AWC) olfactory neurons communicate through intercellular calcium signalling in a transient embryonic gap junction neural network to specify two asymmetric subtypes, AWC OFF (default) and AWC ON (induced), in a stochastic manner. Here, we highlight the molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain stochastic AWC asymmetry. As the components of the AWC asymmetry pathway are highly conserved, insights from the model organism C. elegans may provide a window onto how brain asymmetry develops in humans. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Provocative questions in left–right asymmetry’.

Download Full-text