Assessing locomotory rate in response to food for the identification of neuronal and muscular defects in C. elegans
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Problem: from the customer /user / experimentalist point of view. If not
a scientific post: description of the context
Defects of the nervous or the muscular system may result in
perturbations of the animal’s locomotion. Developing a methodology for
quantifying locomotion offers the opportunity for an easy and
non-invasive way to evaluate neuronal and muscular functionality.
Methodology: innovation / good practice /experiment. If not a scientific
post: description of action / event / meeting / etc.
Towards this direction the quantification of the locomotory rate of C.
elegans provides fruitful information. C. elegans moves by performing
sinusoidal undulations of specific wavelength, amplitude and frequency.
In the current protocol the locomotory rate is calculated as the number
of body bends that the animal performs per time unit. In addition, the
effects of environmental factors, such as food presence and temperature,
can be assessed.
Solution: new results / product / service / etc. If not a scientific
post : perspectives / future actions / links to related topic
The basal and the enhanced slowing responses constitute two well
characterized food-dependent behaviors. Application of this protocol to
measure the animal’s locomotion rate in these two responses, provides
information on the functionality of dopaminergic and serotonergic
signaling.