[
International Worm Meeting,
2015]
The most common method of C. elegans transfer is to use a fine sterilized "pick" made of hair or wire to move animals individually or in small groups. Many procedures, such as RNA extraction or fluorescent imaging, require a large sample of synchronized animals of reproductive age for accurate results. Without expensive sorting equipment, researchers are left to manually select and transfer individual animals. To address this need, we built a low-cost (under $10), easy-to-make device to efficiently select and move large numbers of nematodes from plate to plate without the use of a pick, FUDR, or high-cost sorting machines. Our transfer procedure uses a filtration device created with common lab supplies, and a standard buffer solution. The conceptual approach is to filter a population of animals through a fine mesh attached to a plastic cap, then rinse off leftover unwanted animals and debris from the mesh into a disposable tube. The device is then flipped over and the selected animals are rinsed off the filter into a collection tube where they can settle by gravity, after which they are pipetted into or onto a fresh media source. We will present data comparing our method to the current pick selection method in terms of percent yield of filtered animals, use in large scale assays, and several health parameters, including motility, pump rate, fecundity, and activation of stress response genes.