This work was supported by a New Investigator Grant [2014R1A1A1005553] from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) to J.I.L; and a Yonsei University Future Leader Challenge Grant [2015-22-0133] to J.I.L.

1. Prepare Solutions for NGT-3D and NGB-3D
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the following sterile solutions: 1 L of 0.1454 M NaCl solution, 1 L of 1 M CaCl2, 1 L of 1 M MgSO4, Lysogeny Broth (LB), 1 L of 1 M KPO4 buffer (108.3 g of KH2PO4 and 35.6 g of K2HPO4, and fill H2O to 1 L). Production of NGM using these solutions can be found in a previous protocol10.</li>
	<li>Autoclave solutions at 121 &#176;C, 15 min.</li>
	<li>Prepare 50 ml of a sterile 5 mg/ml cholesterol solution. In a 50 ml conical tube, mix 0.25 g of cholesterol and 50 ml of 99.99% ethanol and mix well. Do not autoclave. Sterilize the cholesterol solution using a 50 ml syringe with a 0.45 &#181;m syringe filter. This will also remove any undissolved cholesterol.</li>
	<li>(Optional) Prepare 10 ml of a 150 mM of 2&#39;-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (FUdR) stock. In a 15&#160;ml conical tube, mix 0.3693 g of FUdR and 10 ml of distilled water. Shake well.</li>
</ol>
2. Prepare Bacteria Culture for NGT-3D and NGB-3D
<ol>
	<li>Inoculate 10 ml LB broth with bacteria. The standard bacteria used for C. elegans feeding is E. coli strain OP50.</li>
	<li>Culture the bacterial inoculation at 37 &#176;C in a shaking incubator overnight.</li>
	<li>In preparation for a serial dilution, aliquot 9 ml of the NaCl solution into sterile 15 ml conical tubes. For example, aliquot 9 ml into a total of 7 tubes to make a 10-7 dilution of OP50 strain E. coli.</li>
	<li>Using a sterile 1,000 &#181;l pipette, pipet 1 ml of the bacterial culture or diluted bacterial culture into the sterile new tube with 9 ml of NaCl solution and vortex the 10 ml mixture well. Repeat until the desired bacterial dilution is reached. 
	NOTE: The desired bacterial dilution depends on the type and condition of bacteria as well as the exact experimental conditions. For example, a 10-6 - 10-8 dilution of OP50 strain E. coli was sufficient to produce from 1 - 200 bacterial colonies per 6.5 ml NGT-3D tube. Worms reliably developed and reproduced normally when the number of colonies was over 60, which occurred at a dilution of 10-6 - 10-7. For NGB-3D, use a dilution of 10-8.</li>
</ol>
3. Making NGT-3D and NGB-3D (200 ml)
<ol>
	<li>After preparing the bacterial culture, mix 0.6 g NaCl, 1 g granulated agar, and 0.5 g peptone in a 500 ml flask. Insert a magnetic stir bar into the flask.</li>
	<li>Add 195 ml distilled water and cover mouth of the flask with aluminum foil.</li>
	<li>Autoclave 121 &#176;C for 15 min.</li>
	<li>Place the hot autoclaved flask onto a stir plate, and stir at a moderate speed for at least 2 hr. Cool the flask to 40 &#176;C. Be sure to cool sufficiently as continuing from here at high temperatures may lead to clouding of the finished agar. However, lower temperatures may result in premature hardening of the agar.
	<ol>
		<li>(Optional) To speed up the cooling process, place the flask in a 40 &#176;C water bath 15 min before placing on a stir plate.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>When the temperature of the agar media reaches 40 &#176;C, add 200 &#181;l 1 M CaCl2, 200 &#181;l of 5 mg/ml cholesterol solution, 200 &#181;l 1 M MgSO4 and 5 ml 1 M KPO4 buffer as the solution continues to stir to final concentrations of 1 mM CaCl2, 5 &#181;g/ml cholesterol, 1 mM MgSO4, 1 mM KPO4.
	<ol>
		<li>(Optional) For NGT-3D lifespan assay add 80 &#181;l of 150 mM FUdR to a final concentration of 120 &#181;M12.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Add 6 ml of the 10 ml diluted bacterial culture from step 2.4 into the flask directly.
	<ol>
		<li>(Optional) For NGT-3D, remove 6 ml of agar media before step 3.6 and keep it warm separately. This media will be used for the bacteria-free top layer.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Using sterile procedures, dispense the media into a sterile culture chamber. Make sure the cover of the chamber closes tightly.
	<ol>
		<li>(Optional) To prevent bacterial colonies from forming at the top surface of the agar, make a layer of bacteria-free agar media from step 3.6.1 on the top before the media from step 3.7 completely hardens. This will create a bacteria-free zone at the top of the NGT-3D.</li>
		<li>For NGT-3D, pour 6.5 ml media into the 8 ml clear plastic test tubes to make a bacteria agar layer, and carefully dispense 200 &#181;l of the bacteria-free media on top of the semi-hardened 3D media to make a thin bacteria-free layer on top.</li>
		<li>For NGB-3D, pour 65 ml of media into the 25 cm2 clear plastic cell culture bottle. This amount should fill the body of the 25 cm2 cell culture bottle.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Leave chambers vertically at room temperature for one week to allow bacterial colonies to grow to a considerable size of at least 1 mm diameter.
	<ol>
		<li>(Optional) For lifespan assay in NGT-3D, cover chambers with aluminum foil to prevent light degradation of FUdR.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Measure Fitness of Worm Population on NGT-3D (Relative Brood Size Assay)
<ol>
	<li>Pick an L4 stage worm using a platinum wire pick and transfer on a bacteria-free NGM plate. Allow worm to freely move around for a few minutes to remove bacteria attached to its body.</li>
	<li>Repeat step 4.1 and make sure that the worm is free from bacteria. Generally, two repeats of 4.1 are enough.</li>
	<li>Carefully place the clean worm on the surface of the 3D media with a platinum wire pick. The worm should eventually enter the agar into the 3D agar matrix.</li>
	<li>Close the cover loosely allowing some air to get into the tube, but preventing drying of the agar media.</li>
	<li>Incubate for 96 hr at 20 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>After 4 days, close the lids tightly and place the NGT-3D culture chamber into an 88 &#176;C water bath to melt the agar. The heat kills worms but their bodies remain intact. 
	NOTE: Using 8 ml tubes for NGT-3D, 20 - 30 min incubation is usually sufficient.</li>
	<li>Using a glass pipette, transfer the melted media onto a 9 cm plastic petri dish. Plastic pipettes are not advised, as worms can often stick to them.</li>
	<li>Using a transmission stereo dissecting microscope, count the number of worms at the L3, L4, and adult stages. Do not count worms that are L2 stage and younger, as the F1 and F2 generations can be confused here. Thus, this assay is a relative brood size assay rather than a total brood size assay.</li>
</ol>
5. Image and Record Worm Behavior on NGB-3D
<ol>
	<li>Pick an L4 stage worm using a platinum wire pick and remove any bacteria stuck to the surface by transferring to a bacteria-free NGM plate and allowing it to freely move for a few min.</li>
	<li>Repeat step 5.1 to make sure the worm is free from bacteria.</li>
	<li>Carefully place the clean worm onto the center of the agar surface of the NGB-3D near the neck of the bottle with a platinum wire pick. The worm should eventually enter the agar into the 3D agar matrix.</li>
	<li>Close the cover loosely allowing some air to get into the tube, while preventing drying of the agar media.</li>
	<li>Image or record the worm under a transmission stereo dissecting microscope. Adjust the focus as the worm moves through the 3D matrix.</li>
</ol>

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	<li>Corsi, A. K., Wightman, B., Chalfie, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Transparent+Window+into+Biology:+A+Primer+on+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">A Transparent Window into Biology: A Primer on Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 200 (2), 387-407 (2015).</li><li>Consortium, C. E. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genome+sequence+of+the+nematode+C.+elegans:+a+platform+for+investigating+biology.">Genome sequence of the nematode C. elegans: a platform for investigating biology.</a> Science. 282 (5396), 2012-2018 (1998).</li><li>Choi, J. I., Yoon, K. H., Kalichamy, S. S., Yoon, S. S., Lee, J. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+natural+odor+attraction+between+lactic+acid+bacteria+and+the+nematode+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">A natural odor attraction between lactic acid bacteria and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> ISME J. 10 (3), 558-567 (2016).</li><li>Gaertner, B. E., Phillips, P. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Caenorhabditis+elegans+as+a+platform+for+molecular+quantitative+genetics+and+the+systems+biology+of+natural+variation.">Caenorhabditis elegans as a platform for molecular quantitative genetics and the systems biology of natural variation.</a> Genet Res (Camb). 92 (5-6), 331-348 (2010).</li><li>Cutter, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Caenorhabditis+evolution+in+the+wild.">Caenorhabditis evolution in the wild.</a> Bioessays. 37 (9), 983-995 (2015).</li><li>Brenner, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+genetics+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">The genetics of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 77 (1), 71-94 (1974).</li><li>Felix, M. A., Braendle, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+natural+history+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">The natural history of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Curr Biol. 20 (58), R965-R969 (2010).</li><li>Barriere, A., Felix, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High+local+genetic+diversity+and+low+outcrossing+rate+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans+natural+populations.">High local genetic diversity and low outcrossing rate in Caenorhabditis elegans natural populations.</a> Curr Biol. 15 (13), 1176-1184 (2005).</li><li>Lee, T. Y., Yoon, K. H., Lee, J. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NGT-3D:+a+simple+nematode+cultivation+system+to+study+Caenorhabditis+elegans+biology+in+3D.">NGT-3D: a simple nematode cultivation system to study Caenorhabditis elegans biology in 3D.</a> Biol Open. 5 (4), 529-534 (2016).</li><li>Lewis, J. A., Flemming, J. T., Epstein, H. F., Shakes, D. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Basic+Culture+Methods.">Basic Culture Methods.</a> Caenorhabditis elegans.: Modern Biological Analysis of an Organism. 48, 4-27 (1995).</li><li>Choi, S. Y., Yoon, K. H., Lee, J. I., Mitchell, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Violacein:+Properties+and+Production+of+a+Versatile+Bacterial+Pigment.">Violacein: Properties and Production of a Versatile Bacterial Pigment.</a> Biomed Res Int. , 465056 (2015).</li><li>Solis, G. M., Petrascheck, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measuring+Caenorhabditis+elegans+life+span+in+96+well+microtiter+plates.">Measuring Caenorhabditis elegans life span in 96 well microtiter plates.</a> J Vis Exp. (48), (2011).</li><li>Kwon, N., Pyo, J., Lee, S. J., Je, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=3-D+worm+tracker+for+freely+moving+C.+elegans.">3-D worm tracker for freely moving C. elegans.</a> PLoS One. 8 (2), e57484 (2013).</li><li>Pierce-Shimomura, J. T., Chen, B. L., Mun, J. J., Ho, R., Sarkis, R., McIntire, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+analysis+of+crawling+and+swimming+locomotory+patterns+in+C.+elegans.">Genetic analysis of crawling and swimming locomotory patterns in C. elegans.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105 (52), 20982-20987 (2008).</li><li>Kwon, N., Hwang, A. B., You, Y. J., SJ, V. L., Je, J. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

The laboratory cultivation of C. elegans using the classical nematode growth media plates was crucial to the hundreds of important discoveries that research in C. elegans has provided. Here, we present new methods to cultivate C. elegans in an environment that more accurately reflects their natural three-dimensional habitats. Although other methods have been used to observe C. elegans in 3D13, this is the first protocol that allows cultivation of worms in a solid 3D matrix. ...

The study of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in the laboratory has led to seminal discoveries in the field of biology over the last five decades1. C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its genome sequenced in 19982, and it has been invaluable in understanding the contributions of individual genes to the development, physiology, and behavior of a whole organism. Scientists now are looking to further understand how these genes may contribute to the survival and reproductive fitness of organisms in their natural environments, asking questions about ecology and evolution at the genetic level3-5. 
C. elegans once again can provide an excellent system to answer these questions. However, little is known about C. elegans biology in natural nematode habitats, and there are no current methods to simulate controlled natural conditions of C. elegans in the laboratory. In the lab, C. elegans is cultivated on the surface of agar plates seeded with E. coli bacteria6. In nature, however, C. elegans and related nematodes can be found sparsely inhabiting soils throughout the globe, but they are specifically found thriving in rotting fruits and vegetative matter7,8. These three-dimensional (3D) complex environments are quite different from the simple 2D environments to which worms are exposed to in the laboratory. 
To begin to answer questions about the biology of nematodes in a more natural 3D setting, we have designed a 3D habitat for laboratory cultivation of nematodes we called Nematode Growth Tube 3D or NGT-3D for short9. The goal was to design a 3D growth system that allows for comparable growth, development, and fertility to the standard 2D Nematode Growth Media (NGM) plates10. This system supports the growth of bacteria and nematodes over their entire life cycles in 3D, allows worms to move and behave freely in three dimensions, and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and employ. 
In the current study, we provide a step-by-step method to manufacture NGT-3D and evaluate worm development and fertility. In addition to assessing worm fitness in 3D, we sought to image, video, and assess worm behavior and physiology in 3D cultivation. Thus, in addition to NGT-3D, we present here an alternate method called Nematode Growth Bottle 3D or NGB-3D, for the microscopic imaging of C. elegans during 3D cultivation. This will be especially important for the study of known behaviors identified in 2D, and the identification of novel behaviors unique to 3D cultivation.

<table><tbody><tr><td>LB broth, Miller (Luria-Bertani)</td><td>Difco</td><td>224620</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sodium chloride</td><td>DAEJUNG</td><td>7548-4400</td><td>58.44 MW</td></tr><tr><td>Agar, Granulated</td><td>Difco</td><td>214530</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Peptone</td><td>Bacto</td><td>211677</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Calcium chloride, dihydrate</td><td>Bio Basic</td><td>CD0050</td><td>2*H&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O; 147.02 MW</td></tr><tr><td>Cholesterol</td><td>Bio Basic</td><td>CD0122</td><td>386.67 MW</td></tr><tr><td>Ethyl alcohol</td><td>B&amp;amp;J</td><td>RP090-1</td><td>99.99%; 46.07 MW</td></tr><tr><td>Magnesium sulfate, anhydrous</td><td>Bio Basic</td><td>MN1988</td><td>120.37 MW</td></tr><tr><td>Potassium phosphate, monobasic, anhydrous</td><td>Bio Basic</td><td>PB0445</td><td>136.09 MW</td></tr><tr><td>2&#039;-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine</td><td>Tokyo Chemical Industry</td><td>D2235</td><td>246.19 MW</td></tr><tr><td>Potassium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous</td><td>Bio Basic</td><td>PB0447</td><td>174.18 MW</td></tr><tr><td>Multi-Purpose Test Tubes</td><td>Stockwell Scientific</td><td>ST.8570</td><td>8 ml</td></tr><tr><td>Test Tube Closures</td><td>Stockwell Scientific</td><td>ST.8575</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cell Culture Flask</td><td>SPL Lifescience</td><td>70125</td><td>25 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Research Stereo Microscope</td><td>Nikon</td><td>SMZ18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>High-Definition Color Camera Head</td><td>Nikon</td><td>DS-Fi2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PC-Based Control Unit</td><td>Nikon</td><td>DS-U3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NIS-Elements Basic Research, Microscope Imaging Software</td><td>Nikon</td><td>MQS32000</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

cultivation of caenorhabditis elegans in three dimensions in the laboratory

The use of genetic model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans has led to seminal discoveries in biology over the last five decades. Most of what we know about C. elegans is limited to laboratory cultivation of the nematodes that may not necessarily reflect the environments they normally inhabit in nature. Cultivation of C. elegans in a 3D habitat that is more similar to the 3D matrix that worms encounter in rotten fruits and vegetative compost in nature could reveal novel phenotypes and behaviors not observed in 2D. In addition, experiments in 3D can address how phenotypes we observe in 2D are relevant for the worm in nature. Here, a new method in which C. elegans grows and reproduces normally in three dimensions is presented. Cultivation of C. elegans in Nematode Growth Tube-3D (NGT-3D) can allow us to measure the reproductive fitness of C. elegans strains or different conditions in a 3D environment. We also present a novel method, termed Nematode Growth Bottle-3D (NGB-3D), to cultivate C. elegans in 3D for microscopic analysis. These methods allow scientists to study C. elegans biology in conditions that are more reflective of the environments they encounter in nature. These can help us to understand the overlying evolutionary relevance of the physiology and behavior of C. elegans we observe in the laboratory.

The construction of NGT-3D is a simple and straightforward protocol that results in an agar-filled test tube with small bacterial colonies spaced throughout the agar (Figure 1A). Worms can freely move through the agar matrix, finding and consuming the bacterial colonies. To confirm whether C. elegans can reproduce and grow normally in NGT-3D, we compared fertility and larval development in 3D with standard 2D NGM plates. In the relative brood size assay, adult <e...

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Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans in Three Dimensions in the Laboratory

We present a simple method to construct 3D nematode cultivation systems called NGT-3D and NGB-3D. These can be used to study nematode fitness and behaviors in habitats that are more similar to natural Caenorhabditis elegans habitats than the standard 2D laboratory C. elegans culture plates.

Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans in Three Dimensions in the Laboratory

The use of genetic model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans has led to seminal discoveries in biology over the last five decades. Most of what we ...

cultivation-caenorhabditis-elegans-three-dimensions

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

17.8K Views.  Yonsei University.  We presenteren een eenvoudige methode om 3D nematode teeltsystemen genaamd NGT-3D en NGB-3D construeren. Deze kunnen worden gebruikt om nematode fitness en gedragingen bij habitats die meer lijken op natuurlijke Caenorhabditis elegans habitats dan standaard 2D laboratorium C. elegans kweekplaten zijn bestuderen. 

Video: Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans in Three Dimensions in the Laboratory

The Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans - A Versatile In Vivo Model to Study Host-microbe Interactions

We demonstrate a method using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model host to study microbial interaction. Microbes are introduced via the diet making the intestine the primary location for disease. The nematode intestine structurally and functionally mimics mammalian intestines and is transparent making it amenable to microscopic study of colonization. Here we show that pathogens can cause disease and death. We are able to identify microbial mutants that show altered virulence. Its conserved innate response to biotic stresses makes C. elegans an excellent system to probe facets of host innate immune interactions. We show that hosts with mutations in the dual oxidase gene cannot produce reactive oxygen species and are unable to resist microbial insult. We further demonstrate the versatility of the presented survival assay by showing that it can be used to study the effects of inhibitors of microbial growth. This assay may also be used to discover fungal virulence factors as targets for the development of novel antifungal agents, as well as provide an opportunity to further uncover host-microbe interactions. The design of this assay lends itself well to high throughput whole-genome screens, while the ability to cryo-preserve worms for future use makes it a cost-effective and attractive whole animal model to study.

The Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans - A Versatile In Vivo Model to Study Host-microbe Interactions

Here, we present the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a versatile host model to study microbial interaction.

We demonstrate a method using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model host to study microbial interaction. Microbes are introduced via the diet making the ...

Genetics

Plate-based Large-scale Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans: Sample Preparation for the Study of Metabolic Alterations in Diabetes

Culturing Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in a large-scale manner on agar plates can be time-consuming and difficult. This protocol describes a simple and inexpensive method to obtain a large number of animals for the isolation of proteins to proceed with a western blot, mass spectrometry, or further proteomics analyses. Furthermore, an increase of nematode numbers for immunostainings and the integration of multiple analyses under the same culturing conditions can easily be achieved. Additionally, a transfer between plates with different experimental conditions is facilitated. Common techniques in plate culture involve the transfer of a single C. elegans using a platinum wire and the transfer of populated agar chunks using a scalpel. However, with increasing nematode numbers, these techniques become overly time-consuming. This protocol describes the large-scale culture of C. elegans including numerous steps to minimize the impact of the sample preparation on the physiology of the worm. Fluid and shear stress can alter the lifespan of and metabolic processes in C. elegans, thus requiring a detailed description of the critical steps in order to retrieve reliable and reproducible results. C. elegans is a model organism, consisting of neuronal cells for up to one-third, but lacking blood vessels, thus providing the possibility to investigate solely neuronal alterations independent of vascular control. Recently, early neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy was found prior to vascular alterations. Thus, C. elegans is of special interest for studying general mechanisms of diabetic complications. For example, an increased formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) is observed, which are reproducibly found in C. elegans. Protocols to handle samples of adequate size for a broader spectrum of investigations are presented here, exemplified by the study of diabetes-induced biochemical alterations. In general, this protocol can be useful for studies requiring large C. elegans numbers and in which liquid culture is not suitable.

Plate-based Large-scale Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans: Sample Preparation for the Study of Metabolic Alterations in Diabetes

This protocol describes a method for the large-scale cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans on solid media. As an alternative to liquid culture, this protocol allows obtaining parameters of different scales under plate-based cultivation. This increases the comparability of results by omitting the morphological and metabolic differences between liquid and solid media culture.

Culturing Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in a large-scale manner on agar plates can be time-consuming and difficult. This protocol describes a simple ...

Biochemistry

Culture and Assay of Large-Scale Mixed-Stage Caenorhabditis elegans Populations

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been and remains a valuable model organism to study developmental biology, aging, neurobiology, and genetics. The large body of work on C. elegans makes it an ideal candidate to integrate into large-population, whole-animal studies to dissect the complex biological components and their relationships with another organism. In order to use C. elegans in collaborative -omics research, a method is needed to generate large populations of animals where a single sample can be split and assayed across diverse platforms for comparative analyses.
Here, a method to culture and collect an abundant mixed-stage C. elegans population on a large-scale culture plate (LSCP) and subsequent phenotypic data is presented. This pipeline yields sufficient numbers of animals to collect phenotypic and population data, along with any data needed for -omics experiments (i.e., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics). In addition, the LSCP method requires minimal manipulation to the animals themselves, less user preparation time, provides tight environmental control, and ensures that handling of each sample is consistent throughout the study for overall reproducibility. Lastly, methods to document population size and population distribution of C. elegans life stages in a given LSCP are presented.

Culture and Assay of Large-Scale Mixed-Stage Caenorhabditis elegans Populations

To use Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in omics research, a method is needed to generate large populations of worms where a single sample can be measured across platforms for comparative analyses. Here, a method to culture C. elegans populations on large-scale culture plates (LSCPs) and to document population growth is presented.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been and remains a valuable model organism to study developmental biology, aging, neurobiology, and genetics. The ...

Basic Caenorhabditis elegans Methods: Synchronization and Observation

Research into the molecular and developmental biology of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was begun in the early seventies by Sydney Brenner and it has since been used extensively as a model organism 1. C. elegans possesses key attributes such as simplicity, transparency and short life cycle that have made it a suitable experimental system for fundamental biological studies for many years 2. Discoveries in this nematode have broad implications because many cellular and molecular processes that control animal development are evolutionary conserved 3.
C. elegans life cycle goes through an embryonic stage and four larval stages before animals reach adulthood. Development can take 2 to 4 days depending on the temperature. In each of the stages several characteristic traits can be observed. The knowledge of its complete cell lineage 4,5 together with the deep annotation of its genome turn this nematode into a great model in fields as diverse as the neurobiology 6, aging 7,8, stem cell biology 9 and germ line biology 10. 
An additional feature that makes C. elegans an attractive model to work with is the possibility of obtaining populations of worms synchronized at a specific stage through a relatively easy protocol. The ease of maintaining and propagating this nematode added to the possibility of synchronization provide a powerful tool to obtain large amounts of worms, which can be used for a wide variety of small or high-throughput experiments such as RNAi screens, microarrays, massive sequencing, immunoblot or in situ hybridization, among others. 
Because of its transparency, C. elegans structures can be distinguished under the microscope using Differential Interference Contrast microscopy, also known as Nomarski microscopy. The use of a fluorescent DNA binder, DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), for instance, can lead to the specific identification and localization of individual cells, as well as subcellular structures/defects associated to them.

Basic Caenorhabditis elegans Methods: Synchronization and Observation

The easiness of maintaining and propagating the nematode C. elegans make it a nice model organism to work with. The possibility of synchronizing worms allows the work with a significant amount of subjects at the same developmental stage, what facilitates the study of one particular process in many animals.

Research into the molecular and developmental biology of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was begun in the early seventies by Sydney Brenner and it has ...

A Simple Microfluidic Chip for Long-Term Growth and Imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have proved to be a valuable model system for studying developmental and cell biological processes. Understanding these biological processes often requires long-term and repeated imaging of the same animal. Long recovery times associated with conventional immobilization methods done on agar pads have detrimental effects on animal health making it inappropriate to repeatedly image the same animal over long periods of time. This paper describes a microfluidic chip design, fabrication method, on-chip C. elegans culturing protocol, and three examples of long-term imaging to study developmental processes in individual animals. The chip, fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane and bonded on a cover glass, immobilizes animals on a glass substrate using an elastomeric membrane that is deflected using nitrogen gas. Complete immobilization of C. elegans enables robust time-lapse imaging of cellular and sub-cellular events in an anesthetic-free manner. A channel geometry with a large cross-section allows the animal to move freely within two partially sealed isolation membranes permitting growth in the channel with a continuous food supply. Using this simple chip, imaging of developmental phenomena such as neuronal process growth, vulval development, and dendritic arborization in the PVD sensory neurons, as the animal grows inside the channel, can be performed. The long-term growth and imaging chip operates with a single pressure line, no external valves, inexpensive fluidic consumables, and utilizes standard worm handling protocols that can easily be adapted by other laboratories using C. elegans.

A Simple Microfluidic Chip for Long-Term Growth and Imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans

The protocol describes a simple microfluidic chip design and microfabrication methodology used to grow C. elegans in presence of a continuous food supply for up to 36 h. The growth and imaging device also enables intermittent long-term high-resolution imaging of cellular and sub-cellular processes during development for several days.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have proved to be a valuable model system for studying developmental and cell biological processes. Understanding ...

Bioengineering

A Method for Culturing Embryonic C. elegans Cells

C. elegans is a powerful model system, in which genetic and molecular techniques are easily applicable. Until recently though, techniques that require direct access to cells and isolation of specific cell types, could not be applied in C. elegans. This limitation was due to the fact that tissues are confined within a pressurized cuticle which is not easily digested by treatment with enzymes and/or detergents. Based on early pioneer work by Laird Bloom, Christensen and colleagues 1 developed a robust method for culturing C. elegans embryonic cells in large scale. Eggs are isolated from gravid adults by treatment with bleach/NaOH and subsequently treated with chitinase to remove the eggshells. Embryonic cells are then dissociated by manual pipetting and plated onto substrate-covered glass in serum-enriched media. Within 24 hr of isolation cells begin to differentiate by changing morphology and by expressing cell specific markers. C. elegans cells cultured using this method survive for up 2 weeks in vitro and have been used for electrophysiological, immunochemical, and imaging analyses as well as they have been sorted and used for microarray profiling.

A Method for Culturing Embryonic C. elegans Cells

We describe here a revised protocol for large-scale culture of embryonic C. elegans cells. Embryonic C. elegans cells cultured in vitro using this method, appear to differentiate and recapitulate the expression of genes in a cell specific manner. Techniques that require direct access to the cells or isolation of specific cell types from the other tissues can be applied on C. elegans cultured cells.

C. elegans is a powerful model system, in which genetic and molecular techniques are easily applicable. Until recently though, techniques that require ...

Culturing Caenorhabditis elegans in Axenic Liquid Media and Creation of Transgenic Worms by Microparticle Bombardment

In this protocol, we present the required materials, and the procedure for making modified&#160;C. elegans&#160;Habituation and Reproduction media (mCeHR). Additionally, the steps for exposing and acclimatizing C. elegans grown on E. coli to axenic liquid media are described. Finally, downstream experiments that utilize axenic C. elegans illustrate the benefits of this procedure. The ability to analyze and determine C. elegans&#160;nutrient requirement was illustrated by growing N2 wild type worms in axenic liquid media with varying heme concentrations. This procedure can be replicated with other nutrients to determine the optimal concentration for worm growth and development or, to determine the toxicological effects of drug treatments. The effects of varied heme concentrations on the growth of wild type worms were determined through qualitative microscopic observation and by quantitating the number of worms that grew in each heme concentration. In addition, the effect of varied nutrient concentrations can be assayed by utilizing worms that express fluorescent sensors that respond to changes in the nutrient of interest. Furthermore, a large number of worms were easily produced for the generation of transgenic C. elegans using microparticle bombardment.

Culturing Caenorhabditis elegans in Axenic Liquid Media and Creation of Transgenic Worms by Microparticle Bombardment

C. elegans is usually grown on solid agar plates or in liquid cultures seeded with E. coli. To prevent bacterial byproducts from confounding toxicological and nutritional studies, we utilized an axenic liquid medium, CeHR, to grow and synchronize a large number of worms for a range of downstream applications.

In this protocol, we present the required materials, and the procedure for making modified&#160;C. elegans&#160;Habituation and Reproduction media ...

Compost Microcosms as Microbially Diverse, Natural-like Environments for Microbiome Research in Caenorhabditis elegans

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a useful model for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying interactions between hosts and their gut microbiomes. While experiments with well-characterized bacteria or defined bacterial communities can facilitate the analysis of molecular mechanisms, studying nematodes in their natural microbial context is essential for exploring the diversity of such mechanisms. At the same time, the isolation of worms from the wild is not always feasible, and, even when possible, sampling from the wild restricts the use of the genetic toolkit otherwise available for C. elegans research. The following protocol describes a method for microbiome studies utilizing compost microcosms for the in-lab&#160;growth in microbially diverse and natural-like environments.
Locally sourced soil can be enriched with produce to diversify the microbial communities in which worms are raised and from which they are harvested, washed, and surface-sterilized for subsequent analyses. Representative experiments demonstrate the ability to modulate the microbial community in a common soil by enriching it with different produce and further demonstrate that worms raised in these distinct environments assemble similar gut microbiomes distinct from their respective environments, supporting the notion of a species-specific core gut microbiome. Overall, compost microcosms provide natural-like in-lab environments for microbiome research as an alternative to synthetic microbial communities or to the isolation of wild nematodes.

Compost Microcosms as Microbially Diverse, Natural-like Environments for Microbiome Research in Caenorhabditis elegans

Compost microcosms bring the microbial diversity found in nature into the laboratory to facilitate microbiome research in Caenorhabditis elegans. Provided here are protocols for setting up microcosm experiments, with the experiments demonstrating the ability to modulate environmental microbial diversity to explore the relationships between environmental microbial diversity and worm gut microbiome composition.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a useful model for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying interactions between hosts and their ...

Long-Term Culture of Individual Caenorhabditis elegans on Solid Media for Longitudinal Fluorescence Monitoring and Aversive Interventions

Caenorhabditis elegans are widely used to study aging biology. The standard practice in C. elegans aging studies is to culture groups of worms on solid nematode growth media (NGM), allowing the efficient collection of population-level data for survival and other physiological phenotypes, and periodic sampling of subpopulations for fluorescent biomarker quantification. Limitations to this approach are the inability to (1) follow individual worms over time to develop age trajectories for phenotypes of interest and (2) monitor fluorescent biomarkers directly in the context of the culture environment. Alternative culture approaches use liquid culture or microfluidics to monitor individual animals over time, in some cases including fluorescence quantification, with the tradeoff that the culture environment is contextually distinct from solid NGM. The WorMotel is a previously described microfabricated multi-well device for culturing isolated worms on solid NGM. Each worm is maintained in a well containing solid NGM surrounded by a moat filled with copper sulfate, a contact repellent for C. elegans, allowing longitudinal monitoring of individual animals. We find copper sulfate insufficient to prevent worms from fleeing when subjected to aversive interventions common in aging research, including dietary restriction, pathogenic bacteria, and chemical agents that induce cellular stress. The multi-well devices are also molded from polydimethylsiloxane, which produces high background artifacts in fluorescence imaging. This protocol describes a new approach for culturing isolated roundworms on solid NGM using commercially available polystyrene microtrays, originally designed for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, allowing the measurement of survival, physiological phenotypes, and fluorescence across the lifespan. A palmitic acid barrier prevents worms from fleeing, even in the presence of aversive conditions. Each plate can culture up to 96 animals and easily adapts to a variety of conditions, including dietary restriction, RNAi, and chemical additives, and is compatible with automated systems for collecting lifespan and activity data.

Long-Term Culture of Individual Caenorhabditis elegans on Solid Media for Longitudinal Fluorescence Monitoring and Aversive Interventions

Here, we present a protocol to culture isolated individual nematodes on solid media for lifelong physiological parameter tracking and fluorescence quantification. This culture system includes a palmitic acid barrier around single-worm wells to prevent animals from fleeing, allowing the use of aversive interventions, including pathogenic bacteria and chemical stressors.

Caenorhabditis elegans are widely used to study aging biology. The standard practice in C. elegans aging studies is to culture groups of worms on solid ...

Long-Term Culture and Monitoring of Isolated Caenorhabditis elegans on Solid Media in Multi-Well Devices

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is among the most common model systems used in aging research owing to its simple and inexpensive culture techniques, rapid reproduction cycle (~3 days), short lifespan (~3 weeks), and numerous available tools for genetic manipulation and molecular analysis. The most common approach for conducting aging studies in C. elegans, including survival analysis, involves culturing populations of tens to hundreds of animals together on solid nematode growth media (NGM) in Petri plates. While this approach gathers data on a population of animals, most protocols do not track individual animals over time. Presented here is an optimized protocol for the long-term culturing of individual animals on microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) devices called WorMotels. Each device allows up to 240 animals to be cultured in small wells containing NGM, with each well isolated by a copper sulfate-containing moat that prevents the animals from fleeing. Building on the original WorMotel description, this paper provides a detailed protocol for molding, preparing, and populating each device, with descriptions of common technical complications and advice for troubleshooting. Within this protocol are techniques for the consistent loading of small-volume NGM, the consistent drying of both the NGM and bacterial food, options for delivering pharmacological interventions, instructions for and practical limitations to reusing PDMS devices, and tips for minimizing desiccation, even in low-humidity environments. This technique allows the longitudinal monitoring of various physiological parameters, including stimulated activity, unstimulated activity, body size, movement geometry, healthspan, and survival, in an environment similar to the standard technique for group culture on solid media in Petri plates. This method is compatible with high-throughput data collection when used in conjunction with automated microscopy and analysis software. Finally, the limitations of this technique are discussed, as well as a comparison of this approach to a recently developed method that uses microtrays to culture isolated nematodes on solid media.

Long-Term Culture and Monitoring of Isolated Caenorhabditis elegans on Solid Media in Multi-Well Devices

Presented here is an optimized protocol for culturing isolated individual nematodes on solid media in microfabricated multi-well devices. This approach allows individual animals to be monitored throughout their lives for a variety of phenotypes related to aging and health, including activity, body size and shape, movement geometry, and survival.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is among the most common model systems used in aging research owing to its simple and inexpensive culture techniques, ...

Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans in Three Dimensions in the Laboratory

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