Phillips CM et al. (2009) Methods Mol Biol "Cytological analysis of meiosis in Caenorhabditis elegans."

McDonald KL, Phillips CM, Dernburg AF

[Methods Mol Biol, 2009]

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as an informative experimental system for analysis of meiosis, in large part because of the advantageous physical organization of meiotic nuclei as a gradient of stages within the germline. Here we provide tools for detailed observational studies of cells within the worm gonad, including techniques for light and electron microscopy.

Phillips CM et al. (2022) Genetics "Germ granules and gene regulation in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline."

Updike DL, Phillips CM

[Genetics, 2022]

The transparency of Caenorhabditis elegans provides a unique window to observe and study the function of germ granules. Germ granules are specialized ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assemblies specific to the germline cytoplasm, and they are largely conserved across Metazoa. Within the germline cytoplasm, they are positioned to regulate mRNA abundance, translation, small RNA production, and cytoplasmic inheritance to help specify and maintain germline identity across generations. Here we provide an overview of germ granules and focus on the significance of more recent observations that describe how they further demix into sub-granules, each with unique compositions and functions.

Phillips SN et al. (2006) Biochim Biophys Acta "Characterizing pathogenic processes in Batten disease: use of small eukaryotic model systems."

Muzaffar N, Phillips SN, Codlin S, Korey CA, Taschner PE, De Voer G, Pearce DA, Mole SE

[Biochim Biophys Acta, 2006]

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are neurodegenerative disorders. Nevertheless, small model organisms, including those lacking a nervous system, have proven invaluable in the study of mechanisms that underlie the disease and in studying the functions of the conserved proteins associated to each disease. From the single-celled yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, to the worm, Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, biochemical and, in particular, genetic studies on these organisms have provided insight into the NCLs.

Phillips BT et al. (2009) Dev Cell "A new look at TCF and beta-catenin through the lens of a divergent C. elegans Wnt pathway."

Phillips BT, Kimble J

[Dev Cell, 2009]

The canonical Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is extensively characterized, broadly conserved, and clinically important. In this review, we describe the C. elegans Wnt/beta-catenin asymmetry pathway and suggest that some of its unusual features may have important implications for the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.