View from the Bench - InVivo Biosystems

Microfluidic EPG Recordings From Diverse Nematode Species

View from the Bench / By Janis Weeks, Ph.D. / November 20, 2020 November 30, 2020

The InVivo Biosystem ScreenChip platform was developed for C. elegans, which is a free-living (non-parasitic) species that feeds on bacteria and has both hermaphroditic and male sexes. However, C. elegans represents only one of the estimated 1 million members of the highly diverse phylum Nematoda, of which only ~25,000 species have been described. In addition to free-living species, other nematodes parasitize humans, animals or plants, with significant medical, veterinary and economic consequences. To demonstrate the utility of microfluidic EPG recordings from species beyond C. elegans, we adapted the platform to record from human and animal parasites, male and female members of a dioecious species, and a carnivorous nematode.

OP50 Vs. HB101: Which Food Should I Choose?

View from the Bench / By Christine Kim / November 12, 2020 November 13, 2020

Nematode worms such as Caenorhabditis elegans feed on bacteria as a food source. In the wild, C. elegans obtain various bacteria from rotting plants, fruit, and vegetation, but under laboratory conditions, C. elegans is normally cultured on agar plates with a standardized bacterial lawn. There are many bacterial diets used for culturing C. elegans. The …

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A Spotlight on Recent Zebrafish Research

CRISPR, Gene Editing, View from the Bench / By Ben Jussila / November 3, 2020 November 9, 2020

We’ve compiled some of the most recent informative and influential research being done using the zebrafish model

Zebrafish Husbandry Part 1: Crosses [Video]

View from the Bench / By Kalyn Hubbard and Emma Lustig / October 29, 2020 November 9, 2020

Are you wanting to learn more about zebrafish husbandry? Have you ever wondered how we do our zebrafish crosses? Our zebrafish team put together this insightful video to help explain some of the zebrafish husbandry process, focusing on zebrafish crosses

How do I get rid of this pesky protein? The Hows and Whys of Protein Degradation

CRISPR, Gene Editing, View from the Bench / By Trisha Brock / October 21, 2020 November 9, 2020

Being able to understand how a protein acts in specific tissues and times can be key for the general understanding of a protein’s function.

How to identify a successful transgenic edit in C. elegans Part 1

Gene Editing, View from the Bench / By Lauren Resch / October 20, 2020 November 9, 2020

In this blog, we will discuss key factors to consider when choosing a screening method, introduce various editing techniques, and discuss the pros & cons of various screening methods.

90 Mutations with 1 Gene: Functional Analysis of Variants Using C. elegans

CRISPR, Disease Modeling, Gene Editing, View from the Bench / By Trisha Brock and Kathryn McCormick / September 25, 2020 November 9, 2020

We created over 90 point mutations in the STXBP1 gene via CRISPR. A map of these point mutations can be seen above. Clinical variants were selected from the ClinVar database, literature, the Gnomad database, clinical researchers, and the STXBP1 foundation.

C. elegans CV

View from the Bench / By Hannah Huston / September 14, 2020 November 9, 2020

When you have to apply for a new job, you are asked to provide a resume, CV, and a cover letter. So why then aren’t you asking the same of the model organisms you are using? We put together a fun, yet very informative, C. elegans CV for you to learn more about the small worm and why it makes an ideal model for studying human diseases.

Worms on drugs: How well can C. elegans predict drug toxicity in mammals?

Aging & Healthspan, Drug Toxicity, View from the Bench / By Adam Saunders / September 1, 2020 November 9, 2020

One can kill nematodes by feeding them any number of noxious chemicals, but how effectively can worms predict potential human toxicity of drug leads? Also, given that the dosage is often the difference between a remedy or a poison, how well does the dosage of a drug translate between worms and humans? If worms lack most of the organ systems that would be key targets of drug toxicity, then how do we test toxicity in organ systems that the worms don’t have? We will discuss how InVivo Biosystems addresses these questions when using C. elegans as a model for drug testing.

The need for aniaml models in COVID-19 research

The Need for Animal Models in COVID-19 Research

Disease Modeling, View from the Bench / By InVivo Biosystems / August 10, 2020 November 9, 2020

Our CSO recently helped write a letter expressing the need for animal models in COVID-19 research