A Smartphone-Based Imaging Method for C. elegans Lawn Avoidance Assay

Summary

This article describes a simple, low-cost method of recording the lawn avoidance behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans, using readily available items such as a smartphone and a light emitting diode (LED) light box. We also provide a Python script to process the video file into a format more amenable for counting.

Abstract

When exposed to toxic or pathogenic bacteria, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans displays a learned lawn avoidance behavior, in which the worms gradually leave their food source and prefer to remain outside the bacterial lawn. The assay is an easy way to test the worms' ability to sense external or internal cues to properly respond to harmful conditions. Though a simple assay, counting is time consuming, particularly with multiple samples, and assay durations that span overnight are inconvenient for researchers. An imaging system that can image many plates over a long period is useful but costly. Here, we describe a smartphone-based imaging method to record lawn avoidance in C. elegans. The method requires only a smartphone and a light emitting diode (LED) light box, to serve as a transmitted light source. Using free time-lapse camera applications, each phone can image up to six plates, with sufficient sharpness and contrast to manually count worms outside the lawn. The resulting movies are processed into 10 s audio video interleave (AVI) files for every hourly time point, then cropped to show each single plate to make them more amenable for counting. This method is a cost-effective way for those looking to examine avoidance defects and can potentially be extended to other C. elegans assays.

Introduction

Among the many advantages of studying C. elegans, its simple nervous system offers the opportunity to study how changes at the genetic and cellular level impact network function and behavioral output. Despite having a limited number of neurons, C. elegans display a wide range of complex behaviors. One of these is lawn avoidance, in which the bacterivorous nematode responds to a harmful food source by leaving the bacterial lawn. C. elegans avoid lawns of pathogenic bacteria^1,2,3, lawns of bacteria that produce toxins or are spiked with toxins

Protocol

1. Setting up the imaging apparatus (Figure 1A-E)

1. Ensure that a smartphone camera with the following minimum requirements is available:
   12 megapixel (MP) camera
   1080p resolution video
   5 GB of storage space (20 min video is 3-4 Gb)
   Time-lapse video app from the application store (free applications available)
2. Place the LED light box on the bottom rack of the 25 °C incubator where the assay will t.......

Discussion

Imaging animal behavior, rather than relying on direct observation, is not only convenient but also has the advantage of leaving visual documentation. This allows for blind analysis by an objective third person, or could even be used for automated analysis using image recognition techniques. Despite the advantages, the standard equipment usually offered is high in cost, so one is committed to the setup once purchased.

Using smartphones to collect video recordings of simple C. elegans .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
35 mm Petri dish	SPL	#10035
Bacto agar	BD	#214010
Bacto Peptone	BD	#211677
CaCl2	DAEJUNG	2507-1400
Cholesterol	BioBasic	CD0122
Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4)	JUNSEI	84120-0350
Glycerol	BioBasic	GB0232
King B Broth	MB cell	MB-K0827
LED light box multi-pad	Artmate	N/A	This is a USB powered, LED light pad for tracing and drawing purposes. Artmate is a Korean brand, but searching for "LED light box for tracing" in any search engine should yield numerous options from other brands. Overall dimension is around 9" x 12" (A4 size). For example, from amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/LITENERGY-Ultra-Thin-Adjustable-Streaming-Stenciling/dp/B07H7FLJX1/ref=sr_1_5?crid=YMYU0VYY226R&keywords= LED%2Blight%2Bbox&qid=1674183224&sprefix =led%2Blight%2Bbo%2Caps%2C270&sr=8-5&th=1
MgSO4	DAEJUNG	5514-4400
Plastic paper sleeve (clear)	Smead	#85753	Any clear plastic sheet with a bit of stiffness can be used as stage. For example, from Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Smead-Organized-Translucent-Project-85753/dp/B07HJTRCT7/ref=psdc_1069554_t3_B09J48GXQ 8
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4)	JUNSEI	84185-0350
Power strip			To accommodate 3 phones and one LED box, you need at least 4 outlets.
Smartphone	N/A	N/A	Minimum requirement: 12MP wide camera, 1080p HD video recording at 30fps
Sodium chloride(NaCl)	DAEJUNG	#7548-4100
Sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous (Na2HPO4)	YAKURI	#31727