C. elegans microfluidic electrotaxis system

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We are requesting funds to custom build a C. elegans Microfluidic Electrotaxis imaging and measurement System (CelMES). The system will be used to study the mechanism of neuronal-basis of locomotion and neurodegeneration in the nematode (worm) C. elegans. CelMES will be the first dedicated system for C. elegans research at McMaster and crucial to our new multidisciplinary collaborative research involving the laboratories of Bhagwati Gupta (Biology), P. Ravi Selvaganapathy (Mechanical Engineering) and Ram Mishra (Psychiatry & Neuroscience). Central to the need of CelMES in our research is a discovery from our labs showing that C. elegans responds to a low voltage DC electric field in the microfluidic channel and moves in a specific direction. This behavior (electrotaxis) is mediated by sensory neurons and muscles as determined by the electrotactic response of mutant animals in the channel. The importance of the system is underscored by the fact that it will support the work of at least 20 students including 8 graduate students and a post-doctoral scholar over the next 3 years. It will not only facilitate collaboration but will also enable students to learn to use the microfluidics approach in C. elegans neurobiology and behavior research thereby offering cutting-edge training opportunities. The lack of CelMES will severely compromise our research because there is no other C. elegans-specific system at McMaster at present.