Picking C.elegans
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Picking C.elegans
Somebody, please help me, I'm so heartbroken. It is so hard to pick C.elegans, they are so small, I don't know what to do. In the worm world, it is spoken about so casually as if it is not even an issue. I have tried all kinds of picks - eyebrow hair, platinum wire - straight/flattened/curled. I have tried sticking my pick into lot of E.coli to make it sticky. It just would't work. The worms are always getting away and I am always poking holes into the agar. It's been 2 and a half months already and I haven't been able to pick a single worm. I feel so dejected. I do not understand how to develop this skill, somebody please help me!
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SciB
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Re: Picking C.elegans
Sorry to hear about the problem, but I can understand why you are frustrated. I would be too!
Now, about those slippery worms...
I did a search for how to pick up C elegans and found several videos and websites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTQtkQm5hOw
http://www.wormbook.org/chapters/www_st ... ntain.html
https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-t ... -C-elegans
You have probably seen all these sites and tried the methods. As I read them I see that other people--graduate students and scientists both--have trouble picking up the worms, so don't feel bad. It is HARD.
I read about two methods that sounded reasonable. One is to simply pick up a chunk of agar containing worms using a small lab spatula. I don't know what you do with the worms after you pick them, but this should get some.
The other method was to use a piece of lab filter paper. The paper is placed near the worm and when it crawls on it you can lift it up and move it. Again, I need to know why you are moving them, how many you need and what you do afterwards before I can really suggest something that might work best.
Let us know if this is any help. Tell us more about your project. We'll try to help you.
Sybee
Now, about those slippery worms...
I did a search for how to pick up C elegans and found several videos and websites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTQtkQm5hOw
http://www.wormbook.org/chapters/www_st ... ntain.html
https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-t ... -C-elegans
You have probably seen all these sites and tried the methods. As I read them I see that other people--graduate students and scientists both--have trouble picking up the worms, so don't feel bad. It is HARD.
I read about two methods that sounded reasonable. One is to simply pick up a chunk of agar containing worms using a small lab spatula. I don't know what you do with the worms after you pick them, but this should get some.
The other method was to use a piece of lab filter paper. The paper is placed near the worm and when it crawls on it you can lift it up and move it. Again, I need to know why you are moving them, how many you need and what you do afterwards before I can really suggest something that might work best.
Let us know if this is any help. Tell us more about your project. We'll try to help you.
Sybee