Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

What is a strain of C. Elegans? How many worms are in a strain? If I want to order a specific strain of C. Elegans, what number strain should I use if I would like the worms to glow under the microscope?

Lifesong115,

There's a good description of what a strain is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strain_%28biology%29. I don't work with C. elegans so I can't tell you off-hand what strain it is you're looking for, but you should be able to call places that supply people with C. elegans for experimentation and ask them what strain they'd recommend. I also don't know how many worms you get with each shipment, but again this is something you should be able to ask whoever's shipping it.

Hopefully someone else who knows more about C. elegans will chime in here, but I did want to get you the information on what a strain is.

Hi,

A strain means that all of the organisms in that group are genetically identical. You can have strains of worms or strains of E.coli or strains of flies etc.

There is no limit to how many worms can be from the same strain. If they are bred together and no genetic variation is introduced they will all continue to be the same strain.

Tthe ones that glow have had a gene for the green fluorescent protein, called GFP, introduced into them. There are probably a few different strains with GFP where the protein is controlled by different conditions. Which strain youwant will depend on what type of experiment you plan to do.

Post back and tell us about your experiment, then people can help some more.
Best of luck,
Caroline