Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan Analysis Services

Lifespan, or the total length of an individual's life, is a direct and easily measurable indicator of the aging process. The use of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism has significantly advanced the field of aging research. With a complete life cycle of only two weeks and a genetic makeup that is 40% homologous to humans, C. elegans provides an efficient and informative platform for investigating the molecular and cellular processes underlying aging.

Fig. 1 Methods for assaying lifespan in C. elegans. (Glynn D, et al., 2003)

CD BioSciences provides reliable methods to analyze the lifespan of C. elegans. Our expertise allows clients to conduct comprehensive longevity studies, which are crucial for understanding aging-related diseases and potential therapeutic interventions.

Our C. elegans Lifespan Analysis Methods

Traditional longitudinal method (TLM)

The TLM is the cornerstone of lifespan analysis at CD BioSciences. Our approach involves maintaining cohorts of C. elegans under controlled conditions and monitoring their survival from embryonic stages to adulthood. Using environmental controls, we help clients to adjust factors such as temperature, food availability, and population density. By systematically recording the deaths of individuals, our experts provide data on median lifespan, maximum lifespan, and survival curves. Our services allow for statistical analysis and comparison between different experimental groups, highlighting genetic or environmental influences on aging.

Replica set method (RSM)

We also employ the RSM in C. elegans lifespan studies. Our experts divide a population of isogenic, age-synchronized animals into subpopulations (or 'replicates'). Each replicate covers one time point in the planned experiment. At each time point, we evaluate one replicate and then discard it. In our services, multiple independent replicates of the same experiment are run simultaneously, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of lifespan under varied experimental conditions. Our method reduces variability in data collection and enhances the reliability of the findings.

Customized Options for C. elegans Lifespan Analysis

Strain options

CD BioSciences offers a diverse array of C. elegans strains, including wild-type and mutant variants, to facilitate in-depth studies of longevity. Strains such as N2 (the standard wild-type) and various age-related mutants (e.g., age-1, clk-1) allow our clients to explore different aging pathways. We also provide services to generate and maintain transgenic strains for specific research projects.

Culture system options

Our team of technicians utilizes both solid and liquid culture systems to evaluate the lifespan of C. elegans under varying experimental conditions. We use traditional agar plates to easily observe phenotypic changes and assess lifespan in controlled environments. It is particularly useful for drug screening applications where large data sets can be collected quickly.

Temperature control

Temperature is a crucial variable in lifespan studies, and CD BioSciences meticulously controls this parameter to ensure the reproducibility and accuracy of results. Our facilities support experiments that assess the effects of continuous or fluctuating thermal conditions, helping clients explore the effects of thermal stress on aging processes.

CD BioSciences is committed to advancing the understanding of aging through meticulous lifespan analysis of C. elegans. We use reliable methods combined with diverse experimental capabilities, making us a premier partner in aging research. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.

Reference

1. Cornwell AB, Samuelson AV. Analysis of Lifespan in C. elegans: Low- and High-Throughput Approaches. Methods Mol Biol. 2020; 2144: 7-27.