Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
High-Throughput Screening of Microbial Isolates with Impact on Caenorhabditis elegans Health
Published on: April 28, 2022
Genetic diversity estimates for the Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program screening panel
Anastasia A Teterina1,2, Anna L Coleman-Hulbert1, Stephen A Banse1
1Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
Abstract:
The Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP) was founded on the principle that compounds with positive effects across a genetically diverse test-set should have an increased probability of engaging conserved biochemical pathways with mammalian translational potential. To fulfill its mandate, the CITP uses a genetic diversity panel of Caenorhabditis strains for assaying longevity effects of candidate compounds. The panel comprises 22 strains from three different species, collected globally, to achieve inter-population genetic diversity. The three represented species, C. elegans, C. briggsae, and C. tropicalis, are all sequential hermaphrodites, which simplifies experimental procedures while maximizing intra-population homogeneity. Here, we present estimates of the genetic diversity encapsulated by the constituent strains in the panel based on their most recently published and publicly available whole-genome sequences, as well as two newly generated genomic data sets. We observed average genome-wide nucleotide diversity (π) within the C. elegans (1.2e-3), C. briggsae (7.5e-3), and C. tropicalis strains (2.6e-3) greater than estimates for human populations, and comparable to that found in mouse populations. Our analysis supports the assumption that the CITP screening panel encompasses broad genetic diversity, suggesting that lifespan-extending chemicals with efficacy across the panel should be enriched for interventions that function on conserved processes that are shared across genetic backgrounds. While the diversity panel was established by the CITP for studying longevity interventions, the panel may prove useful for the broader research community when seeking broadly efficacious interventions for any phenotype with potential genetic background effects.
Insights
The Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP) uses a genetically diverse panel of nematode strains to identify compounds that extend lifespan. This panel shows significant genetic diversity, suggesting findings may translate to conserved biological pathways.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Comparative Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- The Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP) utilizes a genetically diverse panel of nematode strains to identify compounds with conserved biochemical pathway effects and mammalian translational potential.
- The panel consists of 22 strains from three species (C. elegans, C. briggsae, C. tropicalis), collected globally to maximize inter-population genetic diversity.
- These species are sequential hermaphrodites, simplifying experiments while maintaining intra-population homogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the genetic diversity within the CITP screening panel using publicly available and newly generated whole-genome sequences.
- To validate the assumption that the panel encompasses broad genetic diversity for identifying broadly efficacious interventions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of whole-genome sequences from 22 Caenorhabditis strains across three species.
- Calculation of average genome-wide nucleotide diversity (π) for C. elegans, C. briggsae, and C. tropicalis strains.
- Comparison of observed genetic diversity with estimates from human and mouse populations.
Main Results:
- Genome-wide nucleotide diversity (π) within the panel strains (C. elegans: 1.2e-3, C. briggsae: 7.5e-3, C. tropicalis: 2.6e-3) exceeds that of human populations.
- The genetic diversity within the panel is comparable to that found in mouse populations.
- The analysis supports the CITP's assumption of broad genetic diversity within its screening panel.
Conclusions:
- The CITP screening panel possesses substantial genetic diversity, supporting its use for identifying lifespan-extending compounds with conserved mechanisms.
- Compounds showing efficacy across this diverse panel are likely to act on conserved biological processes.
- The panel's broad genetic diversity makes it a valuable resource for researchers seeking broadly efficacious interventions for various phenotypes.
