Exploring the Relationship between Lifespan and Quality of Life in C. Elegans Mutants
The question of whether an increased lifespan is associated with increased quality of life has been a topic of interest in
WormLab®Imaging System
The ultimate worm tracking and analysis solutionProduct Overview
The WormLab Imaging System is a complete, scalable solution for automated imaging and quantitative analysis of the behavior of C. elegans and other nematodes. We worked closely with world leading C. elegans researchers to develop a unique worm tracking system that is intuitive and easy to use so you spend less time on set-up and maintenance and more time focused on your research.
Key Benefits
- Easily record videos optimized for worm tracking and analysis
- Fully automate optogenetic & mechanosensation assays correlating behavior with programmable stimuli
- Improve efficiency and reproducibility of worm behavior assays with whole plate tracking capability
- Start collecting meaningful data quickly thanks to intuitive WormLab workflows
- Enclosed design
- Light and Tapping stimulus delivery
- Macro Illuminator - generates even illumination across a large field of view to create a high contrast image
The WormLab Imaging System is turn-key hardware and software for imaging and analyzing the behavior of C. elegans—just add worms. Generate high resolution videos optimized for analysis using WormLab’s patented worm-tracking technology with access dozens of detailed metrics including speed, direction, 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.
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 |
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| 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. |
Characterizing a novel target to combat obesity
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Munich Researchers Use WormLab to Study Blast Effects on C. elegans
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Mutations in a TRP ion channel cause dopaminergic cell loss in C. elegans
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Researchers use WormLab to reveal that nicotine addiction is heritable in C. elegans
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Download WormLab Imaging Systems product sheet here.
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- Omega bend
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- Entangled worms
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- Thrashing assay. Courtesy: Ernstrom Lab , Middlebury College
WormLab Imaging System: Key Features
High-resolution Worm Imaging
- Specialized optical system ensures maximum resolution, contrast and sharpness – ideal for worm tracking
- Captures a variety of experimental paradigms, including:
- Simultaneous tracking of multiple worms
- Swimming & Thrashing worms
- Whole plate tracking capability increases assay efficiency
WormLab Imaging System: Key Features
Automated Optogenetics & Mechanosensation Assays
- Full automation to increase efficiency and repeatability of assays
- Easily correlate behavior with programmable light or tapping stimuli
- High output LED lights manipulate neural activity while observing behavior for optogenetic assays
- Solenoid-driven tapper produces repeatable, user programmable stimuli for mechanosensation assays.
Video courtesy: Ernstrom Lab, Middlebury College
WormLab Imaging System: Key Features
User-friendly
- Easy data acquisition & analysis with WormLab’s intuitive software interface
- Scalable plug and play design expands with your application requirements
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WormLab Imaging System: Key Features
Enclosed Design
- Prevents ambient light from influencing the behavior of your worms
- Fast glide adjustment mount for quick and repeatable change of the working distance for multiple zoom levels (8mm to 50mm FOV) without the need for any tools. This type of flexibility is not found in conventional compound microscopes or dissecting scopes
Who Is Using WormLab?
WormLab is used across the globe by the most prestigious laboratories.
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News About WormLab Imaging System
Characterizing a novel target to combat obesity
Obesity has reached epidemic levels worldwide. It is a major cause of deadly illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some
Munich Researchers Use WormLab to Study Blast Effects on C. elegans
Explosions can tear apart buildings, send shrapnel flying, and hurtle humans into the air. But explosions also cause damage in
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.
Jesudoss Chelladurai, J. R. J., K. A. Martin, et al.
Repertoire of P-glycoprotein drug transporters in the zoonotic nematode Toxocara canisView Publication
Kropp, P. A., P. Rogers, et al.
Patient-specific variants of NFU1/NFU-1 cause aberrant cholinergic signaling in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of MMDS1View Publication
Yuan, Y., K. Xin, et al.
A GNN-based model for capturing spatio-temporal changes in locomotion behaviors of aging C. elegansView Publication
Zhang, L., L. Li, et al.
The C2 and PH domains of CAPS constitute an effective PI(4,5)P2-binding unit essential for Ca2+-regulated exocytosisView Publication
Liao, C.-P., Y.-C. Chiang, et al.
“Neurophysiological basis of stress-induced aversive memory in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.” Current BiologyView Publication
Romero-Márquez, J. M., M. D. Navarro-Hortal, et al.
“In Vivo Anti-Alzheimer and Antioxidant Properties of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Honey from Southern Spain.” AntioxidantsView Publication
Mattison, K. A., G. Tossing, et al.
“ATP6V0C variants impair vacuolar V-ATPase causing a neurodevelopmental disorder often associated with epilepsy.” BrainView Publication
Zhao, K., Y. Zhang, et al.
“The joint effects of nanoplastics and TBBPA on neurodevelopmental toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Toxicology ResearchView Publication
Gildea, H. K., P. A. Frankino, et al.
Glia of C. elegans coordinate a protective organismal heat shock response independent of the neuronal thermosensory circuitView Publication
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum size Petri dish compatible with the WormLab system?
The system can record videos with sufficient resolution for tracking using Petri dishes up to 50mm.
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 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.
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.
Testimonials
"I rarely have encountered a company so committed to support and troubleshooting as MBF."
"MBF Bioscience is extremely responsive to the needs of scientists and is genuinely interested in helping all of us in science do the best job we can."
"I am so happy to be a customer of your company. I always get great help related with your product or not. With the experienced members, you are the best team I've ever met. All of your staff are very kind and helpful. Thank you for your great help and support all the time."
"We’ve been very happy for many years with MBF products and the course of upgrades and improvements. Your service department is outstanding. I have gotten great help from the staff with the software and hardware."
WormLab provides far superior data than the other conventional programs used for worms. Our work with WormLab has been extremely rewarding because it puts us on the frontier of the behavior studies of C.elegans and allows us to carry out differentiated experiments, with software that is easy to use and needs only simple equipment.
We really appreciate the help from all the staff at MBF Bioscience. Expert support combined with their excellent product WormLab are essential for our research on c. elegans behavior in my lab.
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.
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Request a Free Trial
We offer both a free demonstration and a free trial copy of WormLab software. 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.
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