Learning modules (lab)
C. elegans for the Masses
Useful methods for producing high quality cultures and movies for C. elegans
teaching labs at large (and small) institutions.
BABEC C. elegans Labs
This is a direct link to BABEC’s C. elegans Labs page. There are modules of hands-on activities, each with a student and teacher guide version. Current modules include “Meet the worms!”, “Synchronization”, “chemotaxis assay”, and “The Effect of Alcohol on Worms “.
RNAi lab with rol-6
For this experiment, you will be given worms with a dominant mutation in the
rol-6 gene. You will also be given some wild
type worms so that you can observe the normal movement pattern.
You will then use RNAi (also known as RNA interference) to knockdown
expression of the mutant rol-6 allele. What do you expect will happen to the worms
after the RNAi treatment?
Malthus Under a Microscope
Mueller, M. (2007). Malthus Under a Microscope: Using the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to test Darwin’s premises about populations. The American Biology Teacher, 69(4), 219-225.
Students cultivated C. elegans, measured C. elegans population over time to gain deeper understanding of Darwin’s premises about populations, such as natural selection.
Note: you must purchase access to view the article online.
Laboratory in Genetics
This is a project-based laboratory activity. Students will be engaged in activities of “forward genetics” and “functional genomics” (utilizing RNAi). For detailed lab procedure, please contact Dr. jhubbard [at] saturn [dot] med [dot] nyu [dot] edu (E. Jane Hubbard) at New York University.
TCU genetics lab manual
Genetics lab manual using C. elegans and E. coli.
Worm Breeding for Super Geniuses
A guide to genetic mapping in C. elegans.
Inhibition of unc-22 function using dsRNA
DsRNAi by feeding lab for sophomore level genetics course using unc-22 gene. Handout provided to students (also includes instructions for online prelab). Includes prep sheet for dsRNAi by feeding lab.
Dpy-5 lab
Identification of dumpy worms; design of primers to amplify dpy-5 gene. Preparation of single worms for PCR, PCR reactions, gel electrophoresis.
Dice & Slice
A 6-day hands-on inquiry unit. Activities include C. elegans phenotype observation, worm transfer, RNA interference, PCR and DNA electrophoresis. In addition, students have the opportunity to apply online tool BLAST to find out the gene sequence of the dsRNA underlying the interference of RNA (RNAi).
