A multi-trap microfluidic chip enabling longitudinal studies of nerve regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: Several sophisticated microfluidic devices have recently been proposed for femtosecond laser axotomy in the nematode C. elegans for immobilization of the animals for surgery to overcome time-consuming and labor-intensive manual processes. However, nerve regeneration studies require long-term recovery of the animals and multiple imaging sessions to observe the regeneration capabilities of their axons post-injury. Here we present a simple, multi-trap device, consisting of a single PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) layer, which can immobilize up to 20 animals at the favorable orientation for optical access needed for precise laser surgery and high-resolution imaging. The new device, named "worm hospital" allows us to perform the entire nerve regeneration studies, including on-chip axotomy, post-sur

SUBMITTER: Gokce SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5575036 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature