Center for C elegans Anatomy

Project Summary The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, is among the most utilized model organisms for biomedical research due to its excellent genetics and accessible cell biology. The complete genome of this very small simple animal is well annotated and a large genetic toolkit is available for its study. Most of the adult anatomy has been reconstructed from electron microscopy (EM) micrographs of serial thin sections. However, EM techniques and interpretation of EM micrographs are challenging and frequently rely on specialized expertise. Furthermore, much of the EM data used for the original anatomical descriptions of C. elegans are not easily accessed except through the support of this grant. The long-term objective for the Center for C. elegans Anatomy is to be the preeminent source of anatomical knowledge and data on C. elegans for the research community and to help train graduate students and postdocs in the art of EM. We make anatomical data easily interpretable for novices, comprehensive for those seeking detailed information, and freely available through our online platforms. The Center does this by 1) publishing detailed information regarding the anatomy of the nematode in the form of annotated EM and light micrographs, graphical illustrations, and corresponding text as anatomical handbooks on our WormAtlas website. During the upcoming project period we will create new content on C. elegans organelle structure and detailed descriptions of glia. We will also pilot the introduction of other biomedically relevant nematode species into our anatomical handbooks. 2) We host and make available the largest collection of EM data through our online WormImage database. Most of these data were collected as photographic negatives and prints and subsequently digitized and annotated by the Center. During the upcoming period we will add new data sets of both C. elegans and other nematode species. Furthermore, we will collaborate with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications to develop 3D models based on several reference EM datasets. 3) The Center regularly provides practical training in modern EM methods for students and postdoctoral associates. The Center also tests and develops new EM methods for C. elegans. Finally, we also conduct new EM surveys of the wild type anatomy at key developmental stages to supplement the Atlas, and to fill in gaps in our general knowledge of C. elegans anatomy.