Project description:Effects of food colorants in C. elegans gene expression is studied. Microarrays were used to analyze the global programme of gene expression underlying the lifespan change and identified distinct classes of up/down-regulated genes in animals treated with food colorants.
Project description:When C. elegans larvae hatch in the absence of food they persist in a stress resistant, developmentally arrested state (L1 arrest). We characterized mRNA expression genome-wide in a pair of bifurcating time series starting in the late embryo and proceeding through the hatch in the presence and absence of food (E. coli). We used Affymetrix C. elegans expression arrays to measure gene expression in 18 total timepoint/conditions in three biological replicates. Keywords: time course; plus/minus food
Project description:Effects of baicalein in C. elegans gene expression is studied, as our results indicate a lifespan extension effect produced by this molecule. Microarrays were used to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying the lifespan extension and identified distinct classes of up/down-regulated genes in animals treated with baicalein.
Project description:Effects of betalains in C. elegans gene expression is studied, as our previous results showed a lifespan extension effect produced by theses molecules Microarrays were used to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying the lifespan extension and identified distinct classes of up/down-regulated genes in animals treated with betalains.
Project description:Gene expression in N2 worms treated with 500 μM or 0 μM ferulic acid, at days 5. Effects of ferulic acid in C. elegans gene expression is studied, as our results indicate a lifespan extension effect produced by this molecule. RNA-seq were used to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying the lifespan extension and identified distinct classes of up/down-regulated genes in animals treated with ferulic acid.
Project description:Organisms utilize sophisticated neurocircuitry to select optimal food sources within their environment. Methylobacterium is a lifespan-promoting bacterial diet for C. elegans that drives faster development and longevity, however after ingestion, C. elegans consistently choose any other food option available. A screen for genetic regulators of the avoidance behavior toward Methylobacterium identified the AWB and AWC sensory neurons and the odr-1 guanylate cyclase expressed exclusively in those four ciliated neurons as mediators of the antipathy response. Metabolic profiling of the Methylobacterium diet reveals a macromolecular profile enriched in saturated fats and here we show that C. elegans sense and integrate signals related to the type of ingested lipids that subsequently cues food-related behaviors. Moreover, disruption of endogenous lipid metabolism modifies the intensity of antipathy toward Methylobacterium which suggests that the current state of lipid homeostasis influences food preference. Enhanced expression of the sphingolipid degradation enzyme Saposin/spp-9 enhances antipathy behaviors and activation of the sphingosine rheostat and more specifically modulation of the bioactive lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) acts as a signal to promote avoidance of Methylobacterium. Taken together, our work reveals that C. elegans modify food choices contemporaneously based on the availability of dietary lipids and the ability to metabolize dietary lipids.