C. elegans

C. elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a free-living, transparent nematode (roundworm), about 1 mm in length, that lives in temperate soil environments. It is an important model organism in genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, and aging research. The simplicity of its body plan, which consists of exactly 959 somatic cells in the adult hermaphrodite, and its well-characterized genome, have made it a prime subject for biological study.

Biology and Genetics

C. elegans has a short life cycle of about 3 days at 25°C and can be easily cultured in large numbers. Its genome was the first to be completely sequenced among multicellular organisms, revealing about 20,000 genes. Genetic, cellular, and molecular interactions are studied in C. elegans largely through mutagenesis and gene sequencing techniques. The worm's hermaphroditic nature (possessing both male and female reproductive organs) simplifies genetic crosses, and males are used for outcrossing purposes.

Research and Contributions

C. elegans has contributed significantly to our understanding of the genetic basis of development, including the regulation of gene expression, signal transduction pathways, and programmed cell death. The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) in C. elegans, which allows the silencing of genes in a sequence-specific manner, was a groundbreaking achievement that has been applied in various fields of biology and medicine.

Anatomy and Physiology

Despite its simplicity, C. elegans exhibits complex behaviors such as feeding, mating, and locomotion. It has a simple nervous system consisting of 302 neurons, making it an excellent model for studying the development and function of neural networks. The transparency of C. elegans allows researchers to observe cellular processes in living organisms using fluorescent microscopy.

C. elegans in Space

C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced and has been sent into space for research purposes. Studies in microgravity environments help scientists understand the effects of space travel on biological organisms and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Community and Resources

The C. elegans research community is supported by several comprehensive databases and resources, including WormBase, which provides genetic and genomic information for researchers. International meetings and symposia facilitate collaboration and exchange of ideas among scientists working with C. elegans.