Automated assays to study longevity in C. elegans.
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is excellently suited as a model for studying the genetic and molecular genetic basis of aging, and to test chemical compounds that interfere with the aging process. Mutants of factors in both the insulin and target of rapamycin (TOR) signalling pathways have been shown to extend life span of the worm. Phenotypic similarities among those mutants suggested that, exploiting the corresponding phenotypes in a semiautomated way, may increase the speed of investigating life span and aging in C. elegans. Here, we discuss several methodological approaches to automate longevity assays in the nematode.
Hertweck
Maren
M
Bio3/Bioinformatics and Molecular Genetics, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. maren.hertweck@biologie.uni-freiburg.de
Baumeister
Ralf
R
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology