Kaul, Samiksha et al. (2021) International Worm Meeting "Utilizing Quantitative Molecular Techniques to Capture Expression Level Differences in C. elegans Wild Isolates"

Chou , Han Ting, Paaby , Annalise, Kaul, Samiksha

[International Worm Meeting, 2021]

In the C. elegans embryo, a network of interacting proteins are responsible for establishing polarity along the anterior-posterior axis and coordinating the first few cell divisions. This process is very well studied and is used as a model for cell polarity in metazoans. Morphologically, polarity establishment is highly stereotyped and near-invariant across Caenorhabditis and within C. elegans. However, the underlying molecular and genetic pathways show variability, even at the intraspecific level. In this study, we have developed a method to capture expression level differences of proteins involved in polarity establishment across wild isolates of C. elegans. Using microfluidics and single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH), we are able to achieve excellent spatial and temporal resolution for quantification of expression levels in different wild isolates. This ultimately allows us to compare subtle differences in the molecular pathways involved in polarity establishment and maintenance across different strains of C. elegans.