The Basics of Setting up Successful Teaching Labs and Short-Term Projects with C. elegans

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) offers extensive resources, rapid reproduction, and ease of use, making it ideal for education and research.
• Initiating C. elegans projects can be challenging for inexperienced individuals.
• Accessible experimental setups and teaching methodologies are crucial for broader adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a practical guide for establishing C. elegans research and teaching labs with minimal resources.
• To introduce inclusive teaching strategies for C. elegans-based education.
• To detail a specific undergraduate neuroscience laboratory module focused on the genotype-phenotype relationship in C. elegans behavior.

Main Methods:

• Outlining essential equipment, reagents, and protocols for C. elegans experiments.
• Describing inclusive pedagogical approaches for C. elegans teaching.
• Developing a chemotaxis assay-based laboratory module for undergraduate neuroscience courses.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of a C. elegans teaching laboratory module.
• Demonstration of the link between genetic mutations and observable behaviors in C. elegans.
• Provision of student-ready instructions for the laboratory module.

Conclusions:

• C. elegans is a valuable model organism for both research and education, even with limited experience.
• A structured laboratory module can effectively teach students about genetics, behavior, and neuroscience principles.
• Minimal resource requirements and clear protocols facilitate the integration of C. elegans into undergraduate curricula.