Rapid Life Cycle Research Articles

Estimation of the spawning stock and recruitment relationship of Octopus vulgaris in Asturias (Bay of Biscay) with generalized depletion models: implications for the applicability of MSY

Abstract We developed a new type of generalized depletion model adapted to the rapid life cycle of Octopus vulgaris and the data collection framework put in place in its co-managed small-scale fishery (SSF) in Asturias, northwest Spain. The model uses weekly data from 19 seasons to estimate annual recruitment and female spawners emigration out of the vulnerable stock to attend to their broods. The matched annual spawners-recruitment (SR) magnitudes are then used as observations in a non-Bayesian hierarchical inference framework. The Shepherd SR model was selected among three alternatives. The stock has a high degree of density-dependence, leading to overcompensation. The estimated SR model has an unstable equilibrium point, driving the stock to deterministic cyclic fluctuations under small disturbances. Under those conditions the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is not applicable, lending further credence to Sidney Holt’s opposition to the MSY as a basis for the elaboration of fishery management objectives, with potentially wide relevance to the management of SSF and cephalopod fisheries. We argue that harvest rates based on mean latent productivity, a concept that includes the MSY as a special case, are more adequate and sustainable for fluctuating stocks.

The effects of pulse exposures of metal toxicants on different life stages of the tropical copepod Acartia sinjiensis

Effluent discharges can potentially result in high concentrations of metals entering aquatic environments for short durations, ranging from a few hours to days. The environmental risks of such exposures are challenging to accurately assess. Risk assessment tools for effluent discharges include comparison of toxicant concentrations with guideline values and the use of direct toxicity assessments, both of which were designed to assess continuous, rather than pulse, contaminant exposures. In this study, a chronic pulse-exposure toxicity test was developed using the tropical euryhaline calanoid copepod Acartia sinjiensis. This copepod has a rapid life cycle and is highly sensitive to metal contaminants, with 50% effect concentrations (chronic EC50) for larval development of 1.7, 8.6 and 0.7 μg L−1 for copper, nickel and zinc, respectively. The toxicities of copper and nickel were assessed as a continuous exposure (78 h) and as pulses (3, 6 and 18 h) initiated at varying life stages, from egg to copepodite, and measured larval development over 78 h. Generally, 24-h old nauplii were more sensitive or of similar sensitivity to copper and nickel pulses than 48-h old nauplii. The 78-h test duration enabled observations of chronic effects following pulse exposures, which frequently occurred in the absence of acute effects. The EC50 values for pulse exposures were higher than those of continuous exposure by up to approximately 16-fold and 15-fold for copper and nickel, respectively. When metal-pulse exposure concentrations were expressed using the time-weighted averaged concentration (TAC), resultant concentration response curves were similar to those in continuous exposures to the same metal, suggesting that thresholds based on continuous exposures were also protective for pulse exposures to these metals. This research improves our understanding of the toxicity of pulse contaminant exposures and assists with developing improved approaches to for the risk assessment and regulation of short-term contaminant discharges.

Innovative fluorescent probes for in vivo visualization of biomolecules in living Caenorhabditis elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a well-established multicellular model organism has been widely used in the biological field for half a century. Its numerous advantages including small body size, rapid life cycle, high-reproductive rate, well-defined anatomy, and conserved genome, has made C. elegans one of the most successful multicellular model organisms. Discoveries obtained from the C. elegans model have made great contributions to research fields such as development, aging, biophysics, immunology, and neuroscience. Because of its transparent body and giant cell size, C. elegans is also an ideal subject for high resolution and high-throughput optical imaging and analysis. During the past decade, great advances have been made to develop biomolecule-targeting techniques for noninvasive optical imaging. These novel technologies expanded the toolbox for qualitative and quantitative analysis of biomolecules in C. elegans. In this review, we summarize recently developed fluorescent probes or labeling techniques for visualizing biomolecules at the cellular, subcellular or molecular scale by using C. elegans as the major model organism or designed specifically for the applications in C. elegans. Combining the technological advantages of the C. elegans model with the novel fluorescent labeling techniques will provide new horizons for high-efficiency quantitative optical analysis in live organisms.

Stress tolerance alteration in the freshwater cnidarian green hydra (Hydra viridissima) via symbiotic algae mutagenesis

Symbiotic organisms such as corals are threatened by changing climate because they are sensitive to stress, and may be unable to adapt quickly due to the long host generation time. Instead of selecting for stress tolerant hosts, manipulating their symbiotic microbes has been proposed because microbes affect holobiont phenotypes and they have rapid life cycles. Because it is time-consuming to isolate stress tolerant symbionts from the wild even when appropriate types exist, mutation and selection of symbionts is a promising alternative approach. Using green hydra (Hydra viridissima) and symbiotic algae (Chlorella variabilis NC64A), we found symbiont mutagenesis in vitro altered their UV-B resistance as well as that of holobionts receiving mutated algae. In addition, hydra UV-B tolerance was positively correlated to that of the algae they were hosting, as the hydra associated with UV-B tolerant algal strains exhibited higher UV-B resistance. However, chronic low-level UV-B selection decreased algal resistance to acute high-level UV-B, which was unexpected, and did not affect UV-B resistance of holobionts. The variations in algal UV-B tolerance and hydra UV-B tolerance were largely due to mutagenesis rather than selection. Our results suggest symbiont mutagenesis and trait-based identification may be more effective than assisted evolution in holobiont phenotype alteration, and it highlights the need to characterize symbiont traits in vitro that are correlated to stress tolerance they can confer to hosts, which may have application in conservation, agriculture and forestry.

State of Fashion: Searching for the New Luxury

In the last few years, it has often been said that the current fashion system is outdated, still operating by a twentieth-century model that celebrates the individualism of the 'star designer'. In I- D, Sarah Mower recently stated that for the last twenty years, fashion has been at a cocktail party and has completely lost any connection with the public and daily life. On the one hand, designers and big brands experience the enormous pressure to produce new collections at an ever higher pace, leaving less room for reflection, contemplation, and innovation. On the other hand, there is the continuous race to produce at even lower costs and implement more rapid life cycles, resulting in disastrous consequences for society and the environment.

A novel approach for T7 bacteriophage genome integration of exogenous DNA

BackgroundThe comparatively small genome, well elucidated functional genomics and rapid life cycle confer T7 bacteriophage with great advantages for bio-application. Genetic manipulation of T7 genome plays a key role in T7 related applications. As one of the important aspects in T7 phage genetic modification, gene knock-in refers to two main approaches including direct genetic manipulation in vitro and recombineering. Neither of these available methods are efficient enough to support the development of innovative applications capitalizing on T7 bio-system and thus there is room for novel strategies that address this issue. Integration mediated by the ΦC31 integrase is one of the most robust site-specific recombination systems. ΦC31 integrases with enhanced activity and specificity have been developed such that it is ideal to effectuate exogenous DNA knock-in of T7 phage with advanced ΦC31 integrase.MethodsPlasmid construction was conducted by routine molecular cloning technology. The engineered T7 bacteriophages were constructed through homologous recombination with corresponding plasmids and the functional T7 phage was designated as T7∆G10G11-attB. In the integration reaction, hosts with both executive plasmids (pEXM4) and donor plasmids (pMCBK) were lysed by T7∆G10G11-attB. Progenies of T7 phages that integrated with pMCBK were isolated in restrict hosts and validated by sequencing. T7∆G10G11-attB capacity limit was explored by another integration reactions with donor plasmids that contain exogenous DNA of various lengths.ResultsT7∆G10G11-attB exhibits abortive growth in restrictive hosts, and a bacterial attachment site recognized by ΦC31 integrase (attB) was confirmed to be present in the T7∆G10G11-attB genome via sequencing. The integration reaction demonstrated that plasmids containing the corresponding phage attachment site (attP) could be integrated into the T7∆G10G11-attB genome. The candidate recombinant phage was isolated and validated to have integrated exogenous DNA. The maximum capacity of T7∆G10G11-attB was explored, and it’s found that insertion of exogenous DNA sequences longer than 2 kbp long can be accommodated stably.ConclusionWe advanced and established a novel approach for gene knock-in into the T7 genome using ΦC31 integrase.

Antioxidant Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease: Insights from Drosophila melanogaster

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role as endogenous mediators in several cellular signalling pathways. However, at high concentrations they can also exert deleterious effects by reacting with many macromolecules including DNA, proteins and lipids. The precise balance between ROS production and their removal via numerous enzymatic and nonenzymatic molecules is of fundamental importance for cell survival. Accordingly, many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), are associated with excessive levels of ROS, which induce oxidative damage. With the aim of coping with the progression of PD, antioxidant compounds are currently receiving increasing attention as potential co-adjuvant molecules in the treatment of these diseases, and many studies have been performed to evaluate the purported protective effects of several antioxidant molecules. In the present review, we present and discuss the relevance of the use of Drosophila melanogaster as an animal model with which to evaluate the therapeutic potential of natural and synthetic antioxidants. The conservation of most of the PD-related genes between humans and D. melanogaster, along with the animal’s rapid life cycle and the versatility of genetic tools, makes fruit flies an ideal experimental system for rapid screening of antioxidant-based treatments.

Life-History Evolution and the Genetics of Fitness Components in Drosophila melanogaster.

Life-history traits or “fitness components”—such as age and size at maturity, fecundity and fertility, age-specific rates of survival, and life span—are the major phenotypic determinants of Darwinian fitness. Analyzing the evolution and genetics of these phenotypic targets of selection is central to our understanding of adaptation. Due to its simple and rapid life cycle, cosmopolitan distribution, ease of maintenance in the laboratory, well-understood evolutionary genetics, and its versatile genetic toolbox, the “vinegar fly” Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most powerful, experimentally tractable model systems for studying “life-history evolution.” Here, I review what has been learned about the evolution and genetics of life-history variation in D. melanogaster by drawing on numerous sources spanning population and quantitative genetics, genomics, experimental evolution, evolutionary ecology, and physiology. This body of work has contributed greatly to our knowledge of several fundamental problems in evolutionary biology, including the amount and maintenance of genetic variation, the evolution of body size, clines and climate adaptation, the evolution of senescence, phenotypic plasticity, the nature of life-history trade-offs, and so forth. While major progress has been made, important facets of these and other questions remain open, and the D. melanogaster system will undoubtedly continue to deliver key insights into central issues of life-history evolution and the genetics of adaptation.

<p><strong>Seed Shape Diversity in families of the Order Ranunculales</strong></p>

Seed shape in the order Ranunculales is described with the objective of characterizing the morphological seed types in the families of this order and to establish a correlation between seed shape, plant structure and life style. Based on previous work in model plants (Arabidopsis thaliana, Lotus japonicus, Medicago truncatula), we have used the J index to estimate the percentage of similarity of the image of a seed with a geometric shape. The images of seeds of model plants resemble cardioid or cardioid-derived models, while seeds from other species with rapid life cycles resemble other, also simple geometrical figures. In general, seed shape may help establishing the relationships between taxonomic groups. Three types of seed morphology are distinguished in the Ranunculales based on values of J index. In the first type, seeds in the Berberidaceae, Euptelaceae and Lardizabalaceae, adjust well to an oval. The second type, seeds in the Papaveraceae, adjust well to the cardioid model, and the third type, seeds in the Ranunculaceae, adjust well to diverse geometric shapes, including the oval, truncated cardioid, Fibonacci spiral and ellipse. In the Ranunculales, seed shape is varied and often related to geometrical figures. The presence of cardioid derived models in the Papaveraceae supports our hypothesis that seeds resembling the cardioid are frequent in plants with rapid life cycles.Ranunculales

Genome sequence of the model rice variety KitaakeX

BackgroundThe availability of thousands of complete rice genome sequences from diverse varieties and accessions has laid the foundation for in-depth exploration of the rice genome. One drawback to these collections is that most of these rice varieties have long life cycles, and/or low transformation efficiencies, which limits their usefulness as model organisms for functional genomics studies. In contrast, the rice variety Kitaake has a rapid life cycle (9 weeks seed to seed) and is easy to transform and propagate. For these reasons, Kitaake has emerged as a model for studies of diverse monocotyledonous species.ResultsHere, we report the de novo genome sequencing and analysis of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica variety KitaakeX, a Kitaake plant carrying the rice XA21 immune receptor. Our KitaakeX sequence assembly contains 377.6 Mb, consisting of 33 scaffolds (476 contigs) with a contig N50 of 1.4 Mb. Complementing the assembly are detailed gene annotations of 35,594 protein coding genes. We identified 331,335 genomic variations between KitaakeX and Nipponbare (ssp. japonica), and 2,785,991 variations between KitaakeX and Zhenshan97 (ssp. indica). We also compared Kitaake resequencing reads to the KitaakeX assembly and identified 219 small variations. The high-quality genome of the model rice plant KitaakeX will accelerate rice functional genomics.ConclusionsThe high quality, de novo assembly of the KitaakeX genome will serve as a useful reference genome for rice and will accelerate functional genomics studies of rice and other species.

Achieving Financial Performance in Uncertain Times: Leveraging Supply Chain Agility

AbstractTo extend previous research, this study focuses on how a firm’s supply chain agility affects performance through the lens of resource orchestration theory. We offer an additional extension to theory by examining the impact of environmental uncertainty in the resource orchestration process. Research indicates that a firm’s capabilities must be considered within the context of larger uncontrollable and environmental factors. While the Fisher model focuses explicitly on a product’s demand volatility, the contemporary environment for many firms can be portrayed as rapidly changing with turbulent markets, rapid product life cycles, and a changing competitive landscape. Focusing on three underlying dimensions of environmental uncertainty, namely dynamism, munificence, and complexity, we theorize that this uncertainty facilitates market orientation and moderates the mediating relationship between the firm’s market orientation and supply chain orientation and a firm’s supply chain agility. In short, orchestrating resources for a firm’s supply chain agility may or may not be as significant to achieving financial performance, depending on environmental uncertainty. Therefore, our overall contribution rests in the understanding that firms must determine the appropriate level of supply chain agility.

Generation and Characterization of a Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) Mutant Library.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is attractive to plant scientists as a model plant because of several distinct characteristics, such as its short stature, rapid life cycle, sufficient seed production per plant, self-compatibility, true diploid nature, high photosynthetic efficiency, small genome size, and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. However, the study on the genetic resources of foxtail millet largely lag behind those of the other model plants such as Arabidopsis, rice and maize. Mutagenized populations cannot only create new germplasm resources, but also provide materials for gene function research. In this manuscript, an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced foxtail millet population comprising ∼15,000 individual M1 lines was established. Total 1353 independent lines with diverse abnormal phenotypes of leaf color, plant morphologies and panicle shapes were identified in M2. Resequencing of sixteen randomly selected M2 plants showed an average estimated mutation density of 1 loci/213 kb. Moreover, we provided an example for rapid cloning of the WP1 gene by a map-based cloning method. A white panicle mutant, named as wp1.a, exhibited significantly reduced chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid contents in leaf and panicle. Map-based cloning results showed an eight-base pair deletion located at the sixth exon of wp1.a in LOC101786849, which caused the premature termination. WP1 encoded phytoene synthase. Moreover, the sequencing analysis and cross test verified that a white panicle mutant wp1.b was an allelic mutant of wp1.a. The filed phenotypic observation and gene cloning example showed that our foxtail millet EMS-induced mutant population would be used as an important resource for functional genomics studies of foxtail millet.

OP143 Assessment Of mHealth Apps: Is Current Regulation Policy Adequate?

IntroductionAustralians are adjusting to mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) being used in clinical care. The nature of apps presents unique challenges (e.g. rapid lifecycle) to mHealth regulation. The risks they pose are mainly through the information they provide and how it is used in clinical decision-making. This study explores the international regulation of mHealth apps. It assesses whether the approach used in Australia to regulate apps is consistent with international standards and suitable to address the unique challenges presented by the technology.MethodsA policy analysis was conducted of all nine member jurisdictions of the International Medical Device Regulator's Forum (IMDRF), to determine if their regulatory agencies addressed the IMDRF recommendations relevant to the clinical evaluation of mHealth apps. Case-studies (submission to regulatory agencies) were also selected on varying types of regulated apps (standalone, active implantable, etc.) and assessed relative to the principles in the IMDRF's software as a medical device (SaMD): Clinical evaluation (2017) guidance document.ResultsAll included jurisdictions evaluated the effectiveness of mHealth apps, assessing the majority of the key sub-categories recommended by SaMD: Clinical evaluation. The submissions and jurisdictional regulatory bodies did not address the IMDRF safety principles in terms of the apps’ information security (cybersecurity). Furthermore, by failing to use the method recommended by the IMDRF (risk-classification), none of the submissions or jurisdictions recognized the potential dangers of misinformation on patient safety.ConclusionsNone of the approaches used by global regulatory bodies adequately address the unique challenges posed by apps. Australia's approach is consistent with app regulatory procedures used internationally. We recommend that mHealth apps are evaluated for cybersecurity and are also classified using the IMDRF risk-categories so as to fully protect the public.

Multispecies plant invasion increases function but reduces variability across an understorey metacommunity

Several plant traits have been linked to invasion success in studies involving single alien species or invaded versus non-invaded communities. Less consideration has been given to how invasion by multiple alien species changes community-wide traits and functional structure at landscape scales. Changes to community functional structure by multispecies invasion may have consequences for ecosystem function. Therefore, it is important to identify which traits of naturalized aliens are responsible for optimizing patterns of trait convergence and divergence. Here, we examine if invasion by multiple alien species is related to changes in community-wide functional traits, and patterns of trait convergence and divergence, across an invasion gradient. We collected field data in Victoria, Australia, on traits previously associated with invasion success from 15 × 500 m2 plots. These plots encompassed a range of relative alien cover (~ 3–61%) and represented a multispecies invasion gradient. We tested relationships of each trait to the invasion gradient. We also determined trait convergence and divergence patterns across the gradient, using a trait divergence analysis. Specific leaf area and proportion of annual species significantly increased with the level of invasion. Annual life history and flowering duration maximised trait-convergence, but the two traits had different relationships to the invasion gradient. Specific leaf area, annual life history, leaf dry mass and seed mass maximised trait divergence. Evidence of trait-divergence along the gradient is represented by an increase in functional diversity with invasion level. However, variation in functional diversity was higher in little-invaded communities and stabilised at intermediate and high levels of invasion. Traits (specific leaf area and annual life history) associated with invasion success at a landscape scale are traits promoting rapid life cycle completion, and increases in multispecies invasion leads to an increase in functional diversity but a decline in its variation.

River damming drives population fragmentation and habitat loss of the threatened Danube streber (Zingel streber): Implications for conservation

Abstract The Danube streber, Zingel streber, is a threatened and data‐deficient percid fish endemic to the Danube catchment. The study provides the first data on distribution, life history, and genetic structure of the species at the upstream limit of its historic distribution (south‐western Germany). A 3‐year survey effort with 143 fishing events identified several small, fragmentary populations covering only 7% of the historical range of the species. Census population sizes (Nc) of these subpopulations were estimated from mark–recapture data at <200 individuals. Effective population sizes (Ne), calculated from genetic data (microsatellite genotyping), were much smaller still, at <15 individuals, resulting in an Nc/Ne ratio of <0.25, strongly indicating that populations are seriously affected by genetic drift and inbreeding, and are thus facing a severe extinction risk. Life‐history parameters recorded during the study indicate a rapid life cycle, with both sexes probably attaining sexual maturity at the age of 1 year or older. Spawning commenced at the beginning of April and fecundity was low (~300–400 eggs per female). Genetic analysis and mark–recapture data indicate that subpopulations of the streber live in effective isolation, separated by impassable weirs that significantly reduce genetic connectivity between subpopulations. The species is rheophilic, and limited to sites with flow velocities of ~0.7 m s–1. Hydropower infrastructure may thus also have diminished the availability of suitable habitat by reducing flow rates. Only 32% of the historical range of the Danube streber is now estimated to be morphologically suitable for the species. Furthermore, relevant parts of this range are located upstream of dams and are therefore not accessible for natural recolonization. The availability and accessibility of suitable habitats seem to be factors limiting the size of the remaining subpopulations. Conservation actions should address the restoration of degraded river habitats and increase the connectivity between isolated subpopulations of the Danube streber.

71 Overview of arthropod pests of typical livestock production systems.

An overview of insect and acari pests of typical livestock production systems will be presented. Pests of livestock are often specific to the individual production system, and are responsible for decreases in production of meat, milk, wool, and work in addition to vectoring disease-causing pathogens to both livestock and people. Mismanagement or lack of management for common pests causes many species of flies to increase past the economic threshold levels. The horn fly, Haematobia irritans, is a pest of pastured beef and dairy cattle. The rapid lifecycle and blood-feeding nature of this fly causes large populations to quickly develop which alter the normal behavior of cattle, causing loss in production (weight gain, calf weight, milk production, and mastitis). Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, are associated with humans and numerous livestock production types as they feed on blood and develop in various decomposing environments, including fouled hay around feeders and rotting vegetable matter. Stable flies are known to blood-feed on several hosts, including cattle, pigs, dogs, and people. Other flies (house fly Musca domestica, little house fly Fannia canicularis, and other fly species) are associated with manure pits common to pork and poultry production facilities. Management practices alone are often unable to prevent pests from reaching economic threshold levels. Speculative guesses will be made for common production systems, as current livestock production methods change, for future pests and their potential impact on livestock, husbandry techniques, and their economic impact for producers. Concluding remarks will highlight the current research needs in livestock-arthropod interactions.

Environmentally sustainable pest control options forDrosophila suzukii

AbstractThe spotted‐wing drosophila or cherry vinegar fly (Drosophila suzukii) is native to Asia but has invaded other continents since 2008 and has spread throughout Europe. The females have a serrated ovipositor allowing them to penetrate the skins of intact ripening fruits to deposit their eggs, and the developing larvae rapidly destroy the fruits close to harvest.Drosophila suzukiihas a rapid life cycle and the larvae develop well beneath the fruit surface. This means that the use of pesticides is problematic and often not effective, first due to their restricted use close to harvest to protect consumers, and second because the larvae are deep enough inside the fruit to avoid contact. There are currently no effective and environmentally sustainable pest control methods for this species, resulting in extensive damage to fruit crops. Here, we review the current status ofD. suzukiias a fruit crop pest and discuss the feasibility of current pesticide‐free control methods. We also consider the potential of new technologies as a basis for the urgently needed specific and long‐term control of this species.

Setaria Comes of Age: Meeting Report on the Second International Setaria Genetics Conference.

Setaria viridis is an emerging model for cereal and bioenergy grasses because of its short stature, rapid life cycle and expanding genetic and genomic toolkits. Its close phylogenetic relationship with economically important crops such as maize and sorghum positions Setaria as an ideal model system for accelerating discovery and characterization of crop genes that control agronomically important traits. The Second International Setaria Genetics Conference was held on March 6–8, 2017 at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, United States to discuss recent technological breakthroughs and research directions in Setaria (presentation abstracts can be downloaded at https://www.brutnelllab.org/setaria). Here, we highlight topics presented in the conference including inflorescence architecture, C4 photosynthesis and abiotic stress. Genetic and genomic toolsets including germplasm, mutant populations, transformation and gene editing technologies are also discussed. Since the last meeting in 2014, the Setaria community has matured greatly in the quality of research being conducted. Outreach and increased communication with maize and other plant communities will allow broader adoption of Setaria as a model system to translate fundamental discovery research to crop improvement.

Trends in high-throughput and functional neuroimaging in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model system for understanding the development and function of larger, more complex nervous systems. It is prized for its ease of handling, rapid life cycle, and stereotyped, well-cataloged development, with the development of all 302 neurons mapped all the way from zygote to adult. The combination of easy genetic manipulation and optical transparency of the worm allows for the direct imaging of its interior with fluorescent microscopy, without physically compromising the normal physiology of the animal itself. By expressing fluorescent markers, biologists study many developmental and cell biology questions in vivo; by expressing genetically encoded fluorescent calcium indicators within neurons, it is also possible to monitor their dynamic activity, answering questions about the structure and function of neural microcircuitry in the worm. However, to successfully image the worm it is necessary to overcome a number of experimental challenges. It is necessary to hold worms within the field of view, collect images efficiently and rapidly, and robustly analyze the data obtained. In recent years, a trend has developed toward imaging a large number of worms or neurons simultaneously, directly exploiting the unique properties of C. elegans to acquire data on a scale, which is not possible in other organisms. Doing this has required the development of new experimental tools, techniques, and data analytic approaches, all of which come together to open new perspectives on the field of neurobiology in C. elegans, and neuroscience in general. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1376. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1376 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Genome Editing of C. elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans, a 1 mm long free-living nematode, is a traditional model animal for genetic investigations of various biological processes. Characteristic features that make C. elegans a powerful model of choice for eukaryotic genetic studies include its rapid life cycle, well-annotated genome, simple morphology, and transparency. Recently, genome editing technologies have been increasingly used in C. elegans, thereby facilitating their genetic analyses. Here, I introduce a protocol frequently used in C. elegans genome editing.