These novel nematode research tools facilitate simultaneous studies on the behavior and activity of individual nematodes (C. elegans).
The tools can be used alone or in combination for C. elegans studies. They include:
· Microfluidic devices with channels that are specifically designed to mimic the worm's motion in soil
· An integrated gradient generator for use with the microfluidic devices
· An electropharyngeogram (EPG) array that measures electrical pulses from neurons in the C. elegans’ pharynx. The EPG allows for massively parallel screening for compounds that inhibit eating by nematodes, and can also be used to gain statistical significance through assaying the effect of a single agent on thousands of nematodes.
The tools allow a novel approach to anthelmintic drug discovery that uses very small quantities of test compounds, is rapid, adaptable to high-throughput screening systems and tests directly for effects on neurons and muscles required for eating.
For more information see Dr. Lockery's web site at: http://chinook.uoregon.edu/index.html