WormLab®

A complete system for imaging, tracking, and analyzing C. elegans
MBF Bioscience > WormLab®

Product Overview

WormLab is a complete hardware/software solution for imaging and quantitative analysis of C. elegans behavior. We have collaborated with world leading C. elegans researchers to develop an easy-to-use worm tracking system with powerful analysis tools.

 

The patented WormLab tracking technology employs a groundbreaking algorithm designed to fully automatically characterize a broad spectrum of behaviors of C.elegans. Crawling worms, swimming/thrashing worms, whole plate and long-term tracking – WormLab supports all your assays. With WormLab you can focus on your research, rather than your research tools.

WL
Play Video

Key Benefits

The Ultimate Worm Tracking & Analysis Solution

WormLab performs fully automated quantification of the behavior of C. elegans and other nematodes. Using the WormLab patented worm-tracking technology, you have access to dozens of detailed metrics, including speed, direction, and distance travelled. Fully characterize dynamic changes in posture, amplitude of sinusoidal movement and accurately quantify complex movements such as omega bends, coiling, self-overlap, swimming, and thrashing. Easily and efficiently investigate subtle effects on social interactions such as aggregation, social foraging and mating.

Worm Tracking Made Easy

The WormLab Imaging System is turn-key hardware and software for imaging and analyzing the behavior of C. elegans—just add worms. We have worked closely with C. elegans researchers to develop a worm tracking system that requires no programming or imaging expertise, so you can spend less time setting up and maintaining your system and more time on your research.

The optimized WormLab video acquisition system fully automates optogenetic and mechanosensation assays so that you can easily correlate behavior with programmable stimuli. This also frees up lab resources considerably while improving the efficiency and reproducibility of worm-behavior assays. Easy image acquisition and analysis using the intuitive WormLab software interface enables you to start working immediately.

WormLab has been developed with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

System Requirements for Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS

Windows 10 64-bit is required. The recommended configuration includes at least 16GB RAM, an Intel Core (i5,i7,i9) or Xeon processor, adequate hard disk space for video files (at least 500GB recommended) and an internet connection for activation.

MacOS 10.9 or later is required. The recommended configuration includes at least 16GB RAM, an Intel Core (i5,i7,i9), Intel Xeon or Apple M1 processor, adequate hard disk space for video files (at least 500GB recommended) and an internet connection for activation.

Case Study: Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich 
Researchers Study Blast Effects on C. elegans 
>> Learn More  

Case Study: Columbia University 
Researchers Identified Mutations in a TRP Ion Channel Cause Dopaminergic Cell Loss in C. elegans 
>> Learn More  

Case Study: East Carolina University 
Scientists Reveal that Nicotine Addiction is Heritable in C. elegans 
>> Learn More 

Case Study: Université de Montréal 
Researchers are characterizing a novel target to combat obesity 
>> Learn More 

Zhang, L., L. Li, et al. "The C<sub>2</sub> and PH domains of CAPS constitute an effective PI(4,5)P2-binding unit essential for Ca<sup>2+</sup>-regulated exocytosis." Structure. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2023.02.004

Moreira, P., P. Papatheodorou, et al. (2023). "Nuclear Factor-Y is a Pervasive Regulator of Neuronal Gene Expression." bioRxiv: 2023.2002.2014.528575. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.14.528575

Pandey, T., B. Wang, et al. (2023). "Insulin-mTOR hyperfunction drives &lt;em&gt;C. elegans&lt;/em&gt; aging opposed by the megaprotein LPD-3." bioRxiv: 2023.2002.2014.528431. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.14.528431

Yuan, Y., K. Xin, et al. (2023). "A GNN-based model for capturing spatio-temporal changes in locomotion behaviors of aging C. elegans." Computers in Biology and Medicine 155: 106694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106694

Romero-Márquez, J. M., M. D. Navarro-Hortal, et al. (2023). "In Vivo Anti-Alzheimer and Antioxidant Properties of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Honey from Southern Spain." Antioxidants 12(2): 404. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020404

Urso, S. J., A. Sathaseevan, et al. (2023). "Regulation of the hypertonic stress response by the 3’ mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation complex." bioRxiv: 2023.2001.2023.525244. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.23.525244

Kropp, P. A., P. Rogers, et al. (2023). "Patient-specific variants of NFU1/NFU-1 cause aberrant cholinergic signaling in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of MMDS1." Dis Model Mech 16(049594): 049594. DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049594

Lanier, V. J., A. M. White, et al. (2023). "Theory and practice of using cell strainers to sort &lt;em&gt;Caenorhabditis elegans&lt;/em&gt; by size." bioRxiv: 2023.2001.2007.523116. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.07.523116

Zhao, K., Y. Zhang, et al. (2023). "The joint effects of nanoplastics and TBBPA on neurodevelopmental toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans." Toxicology Research: tfac086. https://doi.org/10.1093/toxres/tfac086

Eck, R. J., R. L. Kow, et al. (2023). "SPOP loss of function protects against tauopathy." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 120(1): e2207250120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2207250120

Jee, C., E. Batsaikhan, et al. (2023). "Neurobiological Basis of Aversion-Resistant Ethanol Seeking in C. elegans." Metabolites 13(1): 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13010062

Aquino Nunez, W., B. Combs, et al. (2022). "Age-dependent accumulation of tau aggregation in Caenorhabditis elegans." Frontiers in Aging 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2022.928574

Latimer, C. S., J. G. Stair, et al. (2022). "TDP-43 promotes tau accumulation and selective neurotoxicity in bigenic Caenorhabditis elegans." Disease Models & Mechanisms 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.049323

Gildea, H. K., P. A. Frankino, et al. (2022). "Glia of <i>C. elegans</i> coordinate a protective organismal heat shock response independent of the neuronal thermosensory circuit." Science Advances 8(49): eabq3970. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq3970

Liao, C.-P., Y.-C. Chiang, et al. (2022). "Neurophysiological basis of stress-induced aversive memory in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans." Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.012

Liudkovska, V., P. S. Krawczyk, et al. (2022). "TENT5 cytoplasmic noncanonical poly(A) polymerases regulate the innate immune response in animals." Science Advances 8(46): eadd9468. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add9468

Wang, C., B. Wang, et al. (2022). "A conserved megaprotein-based molecular bridge critical for lipid trafficking and cold resilience." Nature Communications 13(1): 6805. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34450-y

Li, L., H. Liu, et al. (2022). "CASK and FARP localize two classes of post-synaptic ACh receptors thereby promoting cholinergic transmission." PLOS Genetics 18(10): e1010211. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1010211

Navarro-Hortal, M. D., J. M. Romero-Márquez, et al. (2022). "Amyloid β-but not Tau-induced neurotoxicity is suppressed by Manuka honey via HSP-16.2 and SKN-1/Nrf2 pathways in an in vivo model of Alzheimer's disease." Food & Function. DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/D2FO01739C

AlOkda, A. and J. M. Van Raamsdonk (2022). Effect of DMSO on lifespan and physiology in C. elegans: Implications for use of DMSO as a solvent for compound delivery, microPublication Biology. 10.17912/micropub.biology.000634.

Mattison, K. A., G. Tossing, et al. (2022). "ATP6V0C variants impair vacuolar V-ATPase causing a neurodevelopmental disorder often associated with epilepsy." Brain: awac330. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awac330

da Silva, A. F., L. M. Cordeiro, et al. (2022). "JM-20 affects GABA neurotransmission in Caenorhabditis elegans." NeuroToxicology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2022.08.012

da Silva, T. C., T. L. da Silveira, et al. (2022). "Exogenous Adenosine Modulates Behaviors and Stress Response in Caenorhabditis elegans." Neurochemical Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-022-03727-5

Chen, Y., Q. Qin, et al. (2022). "Carnosol Reduced Pathogenic Protein Aggregation and Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegenerative Diseases Models via Improving Proteostasis and Ameliorating Mitochondrial Disorders." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c02665

Wang, C., L. Zeng, et al. (2022). "Decabromodiphenyl ethane induces locomotion neurotoxicity and potential Alzheimer’s disease risks through intensifying amyloid-beta deposition by inhibiting transthyretin/transthyretin-like proteins." Environment International 168: 107482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107482

Zaroubi, L., I. Ozugergin, et al. "The Ubiquitous Soil Terpene Geosmin Acts as a Warning Chemical." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 0(0): e00093-00022. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.00093-22

Romero-Márquez, J. M., M. D. Navarro-Hortal, et al. (2022). "An oleuropein rich-olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract reduces β-amyloid and tau proteotoxicity through regulation of oxidative- and heat shock-stress responses in Caenorhabditis elegans." Food and Chemical Toxicology 162: 112914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2022.112914

Chiang, Y.-C., C.-P. Liao, et al. (2022). "A serotonergic circuit regulates aversive associative learning under mitochondrial stress in C. elegans." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119(11): e2115533119. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2115533119

Gaeta, A. L., J. B. Nourse, et al. (2022). "Systemic RNA interference-defective (SID) genes modulate dopaminergic neurodegeneration in <em>C. elegans</em&gt." bioRxiv: 2022.2002.2023.481573. 10.1101/2022.02.23.481573

Hagar, S., S. Yehuda, et al. (2022). Nature Portfolio. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1345880/v1 

Yan, Z., X. Cheng, et al. (2022). "Sexually Dimorphic Neurotransmitter Release at the Neuromuscular Junction in Adult Caenorhabditis elegans." Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2021.780396

Chou, S.-H., Y.-J. Chen, et al. (2022). "A role for dopamine in C. elegans avoidance behavior induced by mitochondrial stress." Neuroscience Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2022.01.005

Possik, E., C. Schmitt, et al. (2022). "Phosphoglycolate phosphatase homologs act as glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase to control stress and healthspan in C. elegans." Nature Communications 13(1): 177. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27803-6

Wang, C., Y. Li, et al. (2022). "Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate reduces longevity through a specific microRNA-mediated DAF-16/FoxO in an unconventional insulin/insulin-like growth factor‑1 signaling pathway." Journal of Hazardous Materials 425: 128043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128043

Raffaele, M., K. Kovacovicova, et al. (2021). "Nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand MCOPPB links anxiolytic and senolytic effects." GeroScience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-021-00487-y

Palumbos, S. D., R. Skelton, et al. (2021). "cAMP controls a trafficking mechanism that maintains the neuron specificity and subcellular placement of electrical synapses." Developmental Cell. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2021.10.011

Chai, C. M., W. Chen, et al. (2021). "A conserved behavioral role for a nematode interneuron neuropeptide receptor." Genetics(iyab198). https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyab198

Gaur, A. V. and R. Agarwal (2021). "Risperidone Induced Alterations in Feeding and Locomotion Behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans." Current Research in Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crtox.2021.10.003

Cuentas-Condori, A., B. Mulcahy, et al. "C. elegans neurons have functional dendritic spines." eLife 8: e47918

C1 - eLife 2019;8:e47918. 10.7554/eLife.47918

Doser, R. L., G. C. Amberg, et al. "Reactive Oxygen Species Modulate Activity-Dependent AMPA Receptor Transport in C. elegans." The Journal of Neuroscience 40(39): 7405. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0902-20.2020

Seo, Y., S. Kingsley, et al. "Metabolic shift from glycogen to trehalose promotes lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans.." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 115(12): E2791. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1714178115

Tahernia, M., M. Mohammadifar, et al. "Paper-Supported High-Throughput 3D Culturing, Trapping, and Monitoring of Caenorhabditis Elegans." Micromachines 11(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/mi11010099

Williams, A. B., F. Heider, et al. "Restoration of Proteostasis in the Endoplasmic Reticulum Reverses an Inflammation-Like Response to Cytoplasmic DNA in Caenorhabditis elegans." Genetics 212(4): 1259. https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.119.302422

Martinez, B. A., D. A. Petersen, et al. "Dysregulation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response Induces Non-Apoptotic Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in C. elegans; Models of Parkinson's Disease." The Journal of Neuroscience 37(46): 11085. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1294-17.2017

Pereira, A. G., X. Gracida, et al. "C. elegans aversive olfactory learning generates diverse intergenerational effects." Journal of Neurogenetics 34(3-4): 378-388. https://doi.org/10.1080/01677063.2020.1819265

Rollins, J. A., A. C. Howard, et al. "Assessing Health Span in Caenorhabditis elegans: Lessons From Short-Lived Mutants." The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 72(4): 473-480. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glw248

Soh, M. S., X. Cheng, et al. "Disruption of genes associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 lead to common behavioural, cellular and molecular defects in Caenorhabditis elegans." PLOS ONE 15(4): e0231600. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231600

Angstman, N., Frank, H.-G., & Schmitz, C. (2016). Advanced behavioral analyses show that the presence of food causes subtle changes in C. elegans movement. [Original Research]. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 10. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00060. http://www.frontiersin.org/Journal/Abstract.aspx?s=99&name=behavioral_ne...

Angstman, N. B., Kiessling, M. C., Frank, H.-G., & Schmitz, C. (2015). High interindividual variability in dose-dependent reduction in speed of movement after exposing C. elegans to shock waves. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 9, 12. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00012. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4319468/

Ao, Y., Zeng, K., Yu, B., Miao, Y., Hung, W., Yu, Z., . . . Gao, S. (2019). An Upconversion Nanoparticle Enables Near Infrared-Optogenetic Manipulation of the Caenorhabditis elegans Motor Circuit. ACS Nano. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b09270. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.8b09270

Bai, J., Farias-Pereira, R., Jang, M., Zhang, Y., Lee, S. M., Kim, Y.-S., . . . Kim, K.-H. (2021). Azelaic Acid Promotes Caenorhabditis elegans Longevity at Low Temperature Via an Increase in Fatty Acid Desaturation. Pharmaceutical Research. doi: 10.1007/s11095-020-02975-w. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-020-02975-w

Bai, J., Farias-Pereira, R., Zhang, Y., Jang, M., Park, Y., & Kim, K.-H. (2020). C. elegans ACAT regulates lipolysis and its related lifespan in fasting through modulation of the genes in lipolysis and insulin/IGF-1 signaling. BioFactors, n/a(n/a). doi: 10.1002/biof.1666. https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/biof.1666

Barbagallo, B., Philbrook, A., Touroutine, D., Banerjee, N., Oliver, D., Lambert, C. M., & Francis, M. M. (2017). Excitatory neurons sculpt GABAergic neuronal connectivity in the C. elegans motor circuit. Development, 144(10), 1807. doi: 10.1242/dev.141911. http://dev.biologists.org/content/144/10/1807.abstract

Barbagallo, B., Philbrook, A., Touroutine, D., Banerjee, N., Oliver, D., Lambert, C. M., & Francis, M. M. (2017). Excitatory neurons sculpt GABAergic neuronal connectivity in the C. elegans motor circuit. Development, 144(10), 1807-1819. doi: 10.1242/dev.141911. https://dev.biologists.org/content/develop/144/10/1807.full.pdf

Benbow, S. J., Strovas, T. J., Darvas, M., Saxton, A., & Kraemer, B. C. (2020). Synergistic toxicity between tau and amyloid drives neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration in transgenic C. elegans. Human Molecular Genetics. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddz319. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddz319

Bhattacharya, R., Touroutine, D., Barbagallo, B., Climer, J., Lambert, C. M., Clark, C. M., . . . Francis, M. M. (2014). A Conserved Dopamine-Cholecystokinin Signaling Pathway Shapes Context–Dependent Caenorhabditis elegans Behavior. PLoS Genet, 10(8), e1004584. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004584. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1004584

Brosnan, C. A., Palmer, A. J., & Zuryn, S. (2021). Cell-type-specific profiling of loaded miRNAs from Caenorhabditis elegans reveals spatial and temporal flexibility in Argonaute loading. Nature Communications, 12(1), 2194. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22503-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22503-7

Brugman, K. I., Kato, M., Oh, J. Y., Sternberg, P. W., Maher, S., Wong, W.-R., & Howe, K. (2019). Autism-associated missense genetic variants impact locomotion and neurodevelopment in Caenorhabditis elegans. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddz051. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddz051

Chen, N., Li, J., Li, D., Yang, Y., & He, D. (2014). Chronic Exposure to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Induces Behavior Defects and Neurotoxicity through Oxidative Damages, In Vivo and In Vitro PLoS ONE, 9(11), e113453. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113453. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0113453

Choi, M.-K., Liu, H., Wu, T., Yang, W., & Zhang, Y. (2020). NMDAR-mediated modulation of gap junction circuit regulates olfactory learning in C. elegans. Nature Communications, 11(1), 3467. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17218-0. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17218-0

Chute, C. D., DiLoreto, E. M., Zhang, Y. K., Reilly, D. K., Rayes, D., Coyle, V. L., . . . Srinivasan, J. (2019). Co-option of neurotransmitter signaling for inter-organismal communication in C. elegans. Nature Communications, 10(1), 3186. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11240-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11240-7

Császár, N. B. M., Angstman, N. B., Milz, S., Sprecher, C. M., Kobel, P., Farhat, M., . . . Schmitz, C. (2015). Radial Shock Wave Devices Generate Cavitation. PLoS ONE, 10(10), e0140541. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140541. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0140541

Farias-Pereira, R., Kim, E., & Park, Y. (2019). Cafestol increases fat oxidation and energy expenditure in Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-12-dependent pathway. Food Chemistry, 125537. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125537. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814619316565

Farias-Pereira, R., Oshiro, J., Kim, K.-H., & Park, Y. (2018). Green coffee bean extract and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid regulate fat metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Functional Foods, 48, 586-593. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2018.07.049. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464618303876

Farias-Pereira, R., Park, C.-S., & Park, Y. (2020). Kahweol Reduces Food Intake of Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c03030. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c03030

Farias-Pereira, R., Savarese, J., Yue, Y., Lee, S.-H., & Park, Y. (2019). Fat-lowering effects of isorhamnetin are via NHR-49-dependent pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Current Research in Food Science. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2019.11.002. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927119300103

Faten A Taki, X. P., Baohong Zhang. (2013). Nicotine Exposure Caused Significant Transgenerational Heritable Behavioral Changes In Caenorhabditis Elegans. EXCLI Journal, 12, 793-806. doi. http://www.researchgate.net/publication/256496981_NICOTINE_EXPOSURE_CAUS...

Flores, B. N., Li, X., Malik, A. M., Martinez, J., Beg, A. A., & Barmada, S. J. (2019). An Intramolecular Salt Bridge Linking TDP43 RNA Binding, Protein Stability, and TDP43-Dependent Neurodegeneration. Cell Reports, 27(4), 1133-1150.e1138. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.093. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124719304322

Fouad, A. D., Teng, S., Mark, J. R., Liu, A., Alvarez-Illera, P., Ji, H., . . . Fang-Yen, C. (2018). Distributed rhythm generators underlie Caenorhabditis elegans forward locomotion. eLife, 7, e29913. doi: 10.7554/eLife.29913. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.29913

Fry, A. L., Laboy, J. T., & Norman, K. R. (2014). VAV-1 acts in a single interneuron to inhibit motor circuit activity in Caenorhabditis elegans. [Article]. Nat Commun, 5. doi: 10.1038/ncomms6579. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6579

Gao, S., Guan, S. A., Fouad, A. D., Meng, J., Kawano, T., Huang, Y.-C., . . . Lu, Y. (2018). Excitatory motor neurons are local oscillators for backward locomotion. eLife, 7. doi. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5780044/

Gong, J., Yuan, Y., Ward, A., Kang, L., Zhang, B., Wu, Z., . . . Xu, X. Z. S. (2016). The C. elegans Taste Receptor Homolog LITE-1 Is a Photoreceptor. Cell, 167(5), 1252-1263.e1210. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.10.053. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867416315185

Goya, M. E., Xue, F., Sampedro-Torres-Quevedo, C., Arnaouteli, S., Riquelme-Dominguez, L., Romanowski, A., . . . Doitsidou, M. (2020). Probiotic Bacillus subtilis Protects against α-Synuclein Aggregation in C. elegans. Cell Reports, 30(2), 367-380.e367. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.12.078. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124719317437

Han, B., Bellemer, A., & Koelle, M. R. (2015). An Evolutionarily Conserved Switch in Response to GABA Affects Development and Behavior of the Locomotor Circuit of Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics, 199(4), 1159-1172. doi: 10.1534/genetics.114.173963. http://www.genetics.org/content/199/4/1159.abstract

Hardaway, J. A., Sturgeon, S. M., Snarrenberg, C. L., Li, Z., Xu, X. S., Bermingham, D. P., . . . Carvelli, L. (2015). Glial Expression of the Caenorhabditis elegans Gene swip-10 Supports Glutamate Dependent Control of Extrasynaptic Dopamine Signaling. The Journal of Neuroscience, 35(25), 9409-9423. doi. http://www.jneurosci.org/content/35/25/9409.short

Hill, T. (2017). Ephrin Receptors, AIY Interneuron Physiology, and Behavior. doi. http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/integrbiol_etd/22/

Hsueh, Y.-P., Gronquist, M. R., Schwarz, E. M., Nath, R. D., Lee, C.-H., Gharib, S., . . . Sternberg, P. W. (2017). Nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora mimics olfactory cues of sex and food to lure its nematode prey. [JOUR]. eLife, 6, e20023. doi: 10.7554/eLife.20023. https://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20023

Kosmaczewski, S. G., Han, S. M., Han, B., Irving Meyer, B., Baig, H. S., Athar, W., . . . Hammarlund, M. (2015). RNA ligation in neurons by RtcB inhibits axon regeneration. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(27), 8451-8456. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1502948112. http://www.pnas.org/content/112/27/8451.abstract

Kow, R. L., Strovas, T. J., McMillan, P. J., Jacobi, A. M., Behlke, M. A., Saxton, A. D., . . . Kraemer, B. C. (2021). Distinct Poly(A) nucleases have differential impact on sut-2 dependent tauopathy phenotypes. Neurobiology of Disease, 147, 105148. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105148. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096999612030423X

Leung, H.-H., Liang, C., Marcotte, D., & McEachern, H. (2015). Effect of salinity on the locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans. The Expedition, 4. doi. http://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/expedition/article/view/186394

Li, G., Gong, J., Liu, J., Liu, J., Li, H., Hsu, A.-L., . . . Xu, X. Z. S. (2019). Genetic and pharmacological interventions in the aging motor nervous system slow motor aging and extend life span in C. elegans. Science Advances, 5(1), eaau5041. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aau5041. http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau5041.abstract

Li, J., Li, D., Yang, Y., Xu, T., Li, P., & He, D. (2015). Acrylamide induces locomotor defects and degeneration of dopamine neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Applied Toxicology, n/a-n/a. doi: 10.1002/jat.3144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jat.3144

Liu, H., Yang, W., Wu, T., Duan, F., Soucy, E., Jin, X., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Cholinergic Sensorimotor Integration Regulates Olfactory Steering. Neuron. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.003. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627317311261

Lyu, S., Doroodchi, A., Xing, H., Sheng, Y., DeAndrade, M. P., Yang, Y., . . . Li, Y. (2020). BTBD9 and dopaminergic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of restless legs syndrome. Brain Structure and Function. doi: 10.1007/s00429-020-02090-x. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-020-02090-x

Mah, M. W., Mitha, I., Trinh, A., & Wu, D. (2017). Effect of NaCl concentration on the mid-body movement of Caenorhabditis elegans. The Expedition, 6. doi. http://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/expedition/article/view/189083

Malvar, S., Gontijo, R., Carmo, B., & Cunha, F. (2017). On the kinematics-wave motion of living particles in suspension. Biomicrofluidics, 11(4), 044112. doi. http://aip.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.4997715

Martin, J., Oka, Y., Pabla, P., & Qubain, O. (2017). The effect of temperature on the locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans. The Expedition, 6. doi. http://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/expedition/article/view/189099

Martinez, B. A., Kim, H., Ray, A., Caldwell, G. A., & Caldwell, K. A. (2015). A bacterial metabolite induces glutathione-tractable proteostatic damage, proteasomal disturbances, and PINK1-dependent autophagy in C. elegans. [Original Article]. Cell Death Dis, 6, e1908. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2015.270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/cddis.2015.270

Meneely, P. M., Dahlberg, C. L., & Rose, J. K. (2019). Working with Worms: Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model Organism. Current Protocols Essential Laboratory Techniques, 19(1), e35. doi: 10.1002/cpet.35. https://currentprotocols.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpet.35

Morales-Zavala, F., Arriagada, H., Hassan, N., Velasco, C., Riveros, A., Álvarez, A. R., . . . Kogan, M. J. (2017). Peptide multifunctionalized gold nanorods decrease toxicity of β-amyloid peptide in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer's disease. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2017.06.013. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1549963417301211

Nagarajan, A., Ning, Y., Reisner, K., Buraei, Z., Larsen, J. P., Hobert, O., & Doitsidou, M. (2014). Progressive Degeneration of Dopaminergic Neurons through TRP Channel-Induced Cell Death. The Journal of Neuroscience, 34(17), 5738-5746. doi. http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/17/5738.short

O’Donnell, M. P., Chao, P.-H., Kammenga, J. E., & Sengupta, P. (2018). Rictor/TORC2 mediates gut-to-brain signaling in the regulation of phenotypic plasticity in C. elegans. PLoS genetics, 14(2), e1007213. doi. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29415022

Polli, J. R., Dobbins, D. L., Kobet, R. A., Farwell, M. A., Zhang, B., Lee, M.-H., & Pan, X. (2014). Drug-dependent behaviors and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expressions in Caenorhabditis elegans following chronic nicotine exposure. NeuroToxicology, (0). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2014.12.005. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161813X14002204

Raj, V., Nair, A., & Thekkuveettil, A. (2021). Manganese exposure during early larval stages of C. elegans causes learning disability in the adult stage. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 568, 89-94. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.06.073. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X21009955

Ramachandran, S., Banerjee, N., Bhattacharya, R., Touroutine, D., Lambert, C. M., Schoofs, L., . . . Francis, M. M. (2020). A conserved neuropeptide system links head and body motor circuits to enable adaptive behavior. bioRxiv, 2020.2004.2027.064550. doi: 10.1101/2020.04.27.064550. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2020/04/28/2020.04.27.0645...

Ramachandran, S., Banerjee, N., Bhattacharya, R., Touroutine, D., Lambert, C. M., Schoofs, L., . . . Francis, M. M. (2020). A conserved neuropeptide system links head and body motor circuits to enable adaptive behavior. bioRxiv, 2020.2004.2027.064550. doi: 10.1101/2020.04.27.064550. http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/04/28/2020.04.27.064550.abstract

Rendon-Nava, D., Mendoza-Espinosa, D., Negron-Silva, G. E., Valdez-Calderon, A., Martinez-Torres, A., Tellez-Arreola, J. L., & Gonzalez-Montiel, S. (2017). Chrysin functionalized NHC-Au(I) complexes: Synthesis, characterization and effects on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. [10.1039/C6NJ03299K]. New Journal of Chemistry. doi: 10.1039/c6nj03299k. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6NJ03299K

Rochester, J. D., Tanner, P. C., Sharp, C. S., Andralojc, K. M., & Updike, D. L. (2017). PQN-75 is expressed in the pharyngeal gland cells of Caenorhabditis elegans and is dispensable for germline development. [10.1242/bio.027987]. Biology Open, 6(9), 1355. doi. http://bio.biologists.org/content/6/9/1355.abstract

Roussel, N., Sprenger, J., Tappan, S. J., & Glaser, J. R. (2014). Robust tracking and quantification of C. elegans body shape and locomotion through coiling, entanglement, and omega bends. Worm, 3(4), e982437. doi: 10.4161/21624054.2014.982437. http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/21624054.2014.982437

Sakamoto, K., Soh, Z., Suzuki, M., Iino, Y., & Tsuji, T. (2021). Forward and backward locomotion patterns in C. elegans generated by a connectome-based model simulation. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 13737. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92690-2. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92690-2

Salzberg, Y., Pechuk, V., Gat, A., Setty, H., Sela, S., & Oren-Suissa, M. (2020). Synaptic Protein Degradation Controls Sexually Dimorphic Circuits through Regulation of DCC/UNC-40. Current Biology. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.08.002. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982220311568

Shen, P., Hsieh, T.-H., Yue, Y., Sun, Q., Clark, J. M., & Park, Y. (2017). Deltamethrin increases the fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Caenorhabditis elegans. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 101, 149-156. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2017.01.015. //www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691517300236

Shen, P., Kershaw, J. C., Yue, Y., Wang, O., Kim, K.-H., McClements, D. J., & Park, Y. (2018). Effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on fat accumulation, activity, and proteomics analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Food Chemistry, 249, 193-201. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.01.017. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814618300177

Shen, P., Yue, Y., Kim, K.-H., & Park, Y. (2017). Piceatannol Reduces Fat Accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Medicinal Food. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2016.0179. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2016.0179

Shen, P., Yue, Y., Sun, Q., Kasireddy, N., Kim, K.-H., & Park, Y. (2017). Piceatannol extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-16. BioFactors, n/a-n/a. doi: 10.1002/biof.1346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/biof.1346

Shepherd, E., Greiner, S. P., & Bowdridge, S. (2020). Characterization of ovine monocyte activity when cultured with Haemonchus contortus larvae in vitro. Parasite Immunology, n/a(n/a), e12773. doi: 10.1111/pim.12773. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pim.12773

Shuai, X., Bailey-Brock, J. H., & Lin, D. T. (2014). Spatio-temporal changes in trophic categories of infaunal polychaetes near the four wastewater ocean outfalls on Oahu, Hawaii. Water Research, (0). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.03.058. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135414002541

Sun, Q., Yue, Y., Shen, P., Yang, J. J., & Park, Y. (2016). Cranberry Product Decreases Fat Accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Medicinal Food. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2015.0133. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2015.0133

Sutphin, G. L., Backer, G., Sheehan, S., Bean, S., Corban, C., Liu, T., . . . Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium Gene Expression Working, G. (2017). Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of human genes differentially expressed with age are enriched for determinants of longevity. Aging Cell, n/a-n/a. doi: 10.1111/acel.12595. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acel.12595

Téllez-Arreola, J., Valdez-Calderón, A., González-Montiel, S., Martinez-Torres, A., & Hernandez, A. (2019). Some effects of a chrysin bromide-derivative on GABA-A receptors and on Caenorhabditis elegans. Europe PMC. doi. https://europepmc.org/fulltext/ctx/m1023

Vozdek, R., Long, Y., & Ma, D. K. (2018). The receptor tyrosine kinase HIR-1 coordinates HIF-independent responses to hypoxia and extracellular matrix injury. [10.1126/scisignal.aat0138]. Science Signaling, 11(550). doi. http://stke.sciencemag.org/content/11/550/eaat0138.abstract

Weeks, J. C., Roberts, W. M., Leasure, C., Suzuki, B. M., Robinson, K. J., Currey, H., . . . Liachko, N. F. (2018). Sertraline, Paroxetine, and Chlorpromazine Are Rapidly Acting Anthelmintic Drugs Capable of Clinical Repurposing. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 975. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18457-w. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18457-w

Woldemariam, S., Nagpal, J., Hill, T., Li, J., Schneider, M. W., Shankar, R., . . . Etoile, N. (2019). Using a Robust and Sensitive GFP-Based cGMP Sensor for Real Time Imaging in Intact Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics, genetics.302392.302019. doi: 10.1534/genetics.119.302392. http://www.genetics.org/content/early/2019/07/22/genetics.119.302392.abs...

Wu, X., Al-Amin, M., Zhao, C., An, F., Wang, Y., Huang, Q., . . . Song, H. (2020). Catechinic acid, a natural polyphenol compound, extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via mitophagy pathways. [10.1039/D0FO00694G]. Food & Function. doi: 10.1039/d0fo00694g. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D0FO00694G

Wu, X., Mohammad, A., Zhao, C., An, F., Wang, Y., Huang, Q., . . . Song, H. (2020). Catechinic acid, a natural polyphenols compound, extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via mitophagy pathways. [10.1039/D0FO00694G]. Food & Function. doi: 10.1039/d0fo00694g. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D0FO00694G

Xiao, R., Chun, L., Ronan, Elizabeth A., Friedman, David I., Liu, J., & Xu, X. Z. S. (2015). RNAi Interrogation of Dietary Modulation of Development, Metabolism, Behavior, and Aging in C. elegans. Cell Reports, (0). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2015.04.024. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124715004118

Xu, T., Li, P., Wu, S., Lei, L., & He, D. (2017). Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tris(2-chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) induce locomotor deficits and dopaminergic degeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. [10.1039/C6TX00306K]. Toxicology Research. doi: 10.1039/c6tx00306k. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6TX00306K

Xu, T., Zhang, M., Hu, J., Li, Z., Wu, T., Bao, J., . . . He, D. (2017). Behavioral deficits and neural damage of Caenorhabditis elegans induced by three rare earth elements. Chemosphere, 181, 55-62. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.068. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653517306045

Yue, Y., Li, S., Qian, Z., Pereira, R. F., Lee, J., Doherty, J. J., . . . Park, Y. (2020). Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) impaired reproduction and altered offspring physiological functions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 111695. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2020.111695. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691520305858

Yue, Y., Li, S., Qian, Z., Pereira, R. F., Lee, J., Doherty, J. J., . . . Park, Y. (2020). Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) impaired reproduction and altered offspring physiological functions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 145, 111695. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2020.111695. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691520305858

Yue, Y., Li, S., Qian, Z., Pereira, R. F., Lee, J., Doherty, J. J., . . . Park, Y. (2020). Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) impaired reproduction and altered offspring physiological functions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 145, 111695. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2020.111695. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691520305858

Yue, Y., Shen, P., Chang, A. L., Qi, W., Kim, K.-H., Kim, D., & Park, Y. (2019). trans-Trismethoxy resveratrol decreased fat accumulation dependent on fat-6 and fat-7 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Food & Function. doi. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/fo/c9fo00778d#!divAb...

Yue, Y., Shen, P., Xu, Y., & Park, Y. (2018). p-Coumaric acid improves oxidative and osmosis stress responses in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 0(ja). doi: doi:10.1002/jsfa.9288. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.9288

Yue, Y., Wang, J., Shen, P., Kim, K.-H., & Park, Y. (2021). Methylglyoxal influences development of Caenorhabditis elegans via lin-41-dependent pathway. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 152, 112238. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2021.112238. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691521002714

Yue, Y., Wang, J., Shen, P., Kim, K.-H., & Park, Y. (2021). Methylglyoxal influences development of Caenorhabditis elegans via lin-41-dependent pathway. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 152, 112238. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2021.112238. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691521002714

Zhang, T., Xie, L., Liu, R., Chang, M., Jin, Q., & Wang, X. (2021). Differentiated 4,4-dimethylsterols from vegetable oils reduce fat deposition dependent on NHR-49/SCD pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. [10.1039/D1FO00669J]. Food & Function. doi: 10.1039/d1fo00669j. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1FO00669J

Download WormLab product sheet here.

WormLab® 2022 Release Notes
Released January 2022

New features and enhancements

 

Video Recording

  • New, more efficient video encoder improves encoding speed and decreases file size
  • Increased available buffer to support fast frame rate recording using high-resolution cameras
  • Added support for latest Basler cameras. Pylon version 6.2.0 or later is required

 

General

  • Added support for macOS Big Sur
  • Added option to specify a fixed com port for systems where auto scanning ports may fail
  • Measuring tool for scaling may be drawn at any angle

 

View Full Version History Here.

Who Is Using WormLab?

WormLab is used across the globe by the most prestigious laboratories. 

Cited in Peer Reviewed Scientific Publications

WormLab’s utility is underscored by the number of references it receives in the worlds most important scientific publications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I run WormLab on multiple computers in my laboratory?

The standard WormLab software license is tied to one specific computer, however, we do offer a floating license option, providing additional flexibility. A single floating license enables you to access your software license at any computer, but only one computer at a time.  

Can I use my own videos acquired using our laboratory imaging system?

Yes! You can purchase a Wormlab software license separately from the complete WormLab Imaging System; it is a cost-effective way to quantify worm behavior from videos acquired using your own camera system. An important consideration for obtaining optimal results with WormLab software is the quality of the video to be analyzed. A solid, high contrast image of the worm on an evenly illuminated background (as achieved with the WormLab Imaging System) is ideal.

Is the WormLab Imaging System upgradeable?

The Wormlab Imaging System is modular by design and can be field upgraded to include stimulus delivery options such as high power LEDs for optogenetic assays or a tapper for mechanosensation assays. General purpose input/output ports are also available for custom applications.

What is so special about the WormLab Imaging System compared to lab-based systems?

The WormLab Imaging System is designed to produce optimal videos for worm tracking. It features a stable, flat field illumination system and state-of-the-art, high resolution video camera enabling high contrast visualization of the transparent worms.  Its enclosure blocks out ambient light that could influence worm behavior, creating an ideal platform for performing reproducible experiments.  Fully automate optogenetic and mechanosensation assays eliminates observer bias and improving efficiency.

Can WormLab track other types of nematodes?

WormLab was originally designed for tracking C. elegans, however, researchers have used the software for behavioral analysis of other nematodes (such as parasitic worms). In fact, WormLab has also been used to track Drosophila larvae. Contact us to arrange a demonstration using your videos.

Is there a limit to the number of worms I can track simultaneously?

Technically, there is no inherent software limit to the number of tracked worms, however, from a practical perspective we suggest tracking fewer than 30 worms in an area sufficiently large to mitigate worm clustering. The WormLab Imaging System supports video acquisition from plates up to 50mm in diameter.

What types of video file formats are supported and are there any suggested acquisition parameters for optimal tracking?

WormLab supports many video files (eg. .avi, .mov, .mpg, .mp4, .wmv) and includes support for hundreds of different video codecs.  We typically suggest using an acquisition rate of 5-10 fps for crawling worm assays and 14-30fps for swimming assays to ensure sufficient temporal resolution for accurate tracking.   Higher resolution videos (e.g. 10um or less per pixel scaling) are recommended for more accurate tracking through complex movements such as omega bends, entanglements, self-overlap or coiling  

Are software updates readily available for WormLab?

Yes - we offer a Software Upgrade and Support Subscription (SUSS) enabling customers to download the latest version of WormLab and full remote access to our technical support team of experts.  Our WormLab development roadmap is very customer feedback driven – as you provide feedback and we make enhancements to WormLab, you can then download those latest releases.  This collaborative relationship with WormLab users is an integral part of our continuous improvement process and improves the WormLab community experience.

Testimonials

Robust Professional Support

Our service sets us apart, with a team that includes Ph.D. neuroscientists, experts in microscopy, stereology, neuron reconstruction, and image processing.  We’ve also developed a host of additional support services, including:

  • Forums
    We have over 25 active forums where open discussions take place.
    >> Learn More
  • On-Site/Training
    We’ve conducted over 750 remote software installations.
    >> Learn More
  • Webinars
    We’ve created over 55 webinars that demonstrate our products & their uses.
    >> Learn More

Request a Free Trial

We offer both a free demonstration and a free trial copy of WormLab. During your personal session, you’ll also have the opportunity to talk to us about your hardware, software and experimental design questions with our team of Ph.D. neuroscientists and experts in microscopy, worm tracking and image processing.

Related Products

WormLab® Imaging System

The ultimate worm tracking and analysis solution.

Neurolucida®

Neuron tracing & analysis directly at the microscope. The gold standard for neuron tracing.

Stereo Investigator®

The complete stereology solution. The gold standard for unbiased cell counting.

ClearScope®

Ground-breaking light sheet microscope system for cleared specimens.

Recorded Webinars and Videos

WormLab: Display Features

WormLab: How to detect & track (workflow)

Webinar: C. elegans imaging and analysis with WormLab