biostudies-literatureAbel CDirectorate for Biological SciencesNIGMS NIH HHS390-402https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8758798biostudies-literatureUnknown251(2)<h4>Background</h4>Planarian flatworms are popular invertebrate models for basic research on stem cell biology and regeneration. These animals are commonly maintained on a diet of homogenized calf liver or boiled egg yolk in the laboratory, introducing a source of uncontrolled experimental variability.<h4>Results</h4>Here, we report the development of defined diets, prepared entirely from standardized, commercially sourced ingredients, for the freshwater species Schmidtea mediterranea, Dugesia japonica, and Girardia dorotocephala. These food sources provide an opportunity to test the effects of specific nutritional variables on biological phenomena of interest. Defined diet consumption was not sufficient for growth and only partially induced the increase in stem cell division that normallyDevelopmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of AnatomistsDefined diets for freshwater planarians.PMC87587981656793P20 GM103506Abel CPellettieri JGurung GPowers KfalseDefined diets for freshwater planarians.<h4>Background</h4>Planarian flatworms are popular invertebrate models for basic research on stem cell biology and regeneration. These animals are commonly maintained on a diet of homogenized calf liver or boiled egg yolk in the laboratory, introducing a source of uncontrolled experimental variability.<h4>Results</h4>Here, we report the development of defined diets, prepared entirely from standardized, commercially sourced ingredients, for the freshwater species Schmidtea mediterranea, Dugesia japonica, and Girardia dorotocephala. These food sources provide an opportunity to test the effects of specific nutritional variables on biological phenomena of interest. Defined diet consumption was not sufficient for growth and only partially induced the increase in stem cell division that normally2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Feb2025-04-21T15:51:06.632Z2025-04-21T15:51:06.632ZS-EPMC87587983425881610.1002/dvdy.400