News and Notes Archive
Continued from News and Notes on the front page
March 17 2016
New review of G protein signaling published
Neurotransmitter signaling through heterotrimeric G proteins: insights from studies in C. elegans, by Michael Koelle, has been added to the Signal transduction section as an ePub ahead of formal publication. This chapter updates, in part, Heterotrimeric G proteins in C. elegans, and focuses on signaling by Go, Gq, and Gs, their roles in inhibiting neurotransmitter release, and the details of their downstream signaling mechanisms.
March 10 2016
Message from Marty Chalfie
Please read Marty Chalfie’s letter to the Worm Community about the use of prepublication manuscript archives. This letter has been sent to the subscriber list for The Worm Breeder's Gazette and can be found here.
February 22 2016
Robert Stuart (Bob) Edgar, 1930-2016
We join the worm community in mourning Bob Edgar who died peacefully at home February 1. Bob helped establish C. elegans as a model organism and was an enthusiastic promoter of collegial nature of our field. Bob started The Worm Breeder's Gazette in 1975, and WormBook is proud to carry on his legacy. His full obituary can be read at http://news.ucsc.edu/2016/02/edgar-in-memoriam.html.
December 30 2015
New chapter added to Cell biology
The C. elegans eggshell, by Kathryn Stein and Andy Golden, has been released in the Cell biology section as an ePub ahead of formal publication. This chapter describes the structure, timeline of formation, and genetics of the eggshell.
December 22 2015
New and updated chapters pre-published
WormBook has instituted ePub ahead of formal publication. Our first two chapters in this format are:
Meiosis, a new chapter by Kenneth Hillers, Verena Jantsch, Enrique Martinez-Perez, and Judith Yanowitz added to
The germ line section, and Signaling in the innate immune response by Dennis Kim and Jonathan Ewbank,
an updated chapter, added to the Signal transduction section.
November 4 2015
Announcement of WormBook in GENETICS
WormBook is excited to announce that we have partnered with The Genetics Society
of America to publish new WormBook content in GENETICS. GENETICS will publish
about 50 new chapters over the course of four years. Existing chapters will remain
available at http://www.wormbook.org/, and several new and updated chapters will
continue to be published at the site over the next six months. Letters describing these changes from Marty
Chalfie and Iva Greenwald, who succeeds Marty as WormBook Editor-in-Chief, can be
found here.
July 16 2015
Strongyloides chapter updated
The biology of Strongyloides spp., by Mark Viney and James Lok, has just been published in the Other nematodes section of WormBook. This chapter updates Strongyloides spp., by the same authors, and includes advances in our understanding of the genetics, genomics, regulatory pathways, and host immune response of these parasitic nematodes.
June 18 2015
Introductory chapter published
A Transparent Window into Biology: A Primer on Caenorhabditis elegans, by Ann Corsi, Bruce Wightman, and Marty Chalfie, has just been added to WormBook as a co-publication with GENETICS. This chapter discusses the basic biology, genetics, anatomy, genomics, ecology, and evolution of C. elegans. Key discoveries resulting from research using this organism are described, as is the strong collaborative nature of the worm community. We thank Tracey DePellegrin, Ruth Isaacson, and Elizabeth De Stasio of GENETICS for their dedication to this collaboration, as well as Editor-in-Chief Mark Johnston for his support of the project.
June 11 2015
Nuclear receptor chapter updated in WormBook
Nuclear receptor signal transduction in C. elegans, by Adam Antebi, has been added to the Signal transduction section of WormBook. This chapter updates his 2006 chapter, Nuclear hormone receptors in C. elegans. The updated chapter highlights recent advances on the best-studied nuclear receptors in the worm and discusses their role as regulators of life history, cell fate, and organogenesis, as well as their function in nutrient sensing, metabolism, and energy homeostasis.
April 30 2015
New chapter added to Molecular biology
Operon and non-operon gene clusters in the C. elegans genome, by Thomas Blumenthal, Paul Davis and Alfonso Garrido-Lecca, has been published in the Molecular biology section. This chapter discusses a variety of tight-linkage gene arrangements in the C. elegans genome, summarizes the current knowledge on several variations of operon processing, and describes non-operon gene clusters.
December 30 2014
Chapter on polarity establishment in the embryo updated
Polarity establishment, asymmetric division and segregation of fate determinants in early C. elegans embryos, by Lesilee Rose and Pierre Gönczy, has been published in the Developmental control section. This chapter updates Asymmetric cell division and axis formation in the embryo, by the same authors. The updated chapter describes the mechanisms that transform an isotropic system into a polarized one in the first cell cycle, and further discusses how cell signaling in subsequent divisions builds upon the initial polarity to further refine cell fates.
December 23 2014
New chapter added to Cell biology
Membrane ion transport in non-excitable tissues, by Keith Nehrke, has just been published in the Cell biology section. This chapter discusses the roles of calcium and proton signaling, pH, and osmotic balance in aspects of C. elegans behavior and physiology.
December 17 2014
Anthelmintic drug chapter updated
Anthelmintic drugs and nematicides: studies in Caenorhabditis elegans, by Lindy Holden-Dye and Robert Walker, an update of their chapter Anthelmintic drugs, has been added to the Disease models and drug discovery section. The chapter discusses the use of C. elegans as a model 'parasite', and reviews its use in the study of nematode control and as a platform for anthelmintic and nematicide discovery and development.
December 5 2014
DNA repair chapter updated
Replication and repair by Ann Rose has just been added to the Molecular biology section of WormBook. This chapter updates and greatly expands the 2006 chapter DNA repair by Nigel O'Neil and Ann Rose, and focuses on the use of C. elegans in the study of the Fanconi Anemia (FA) repair pathway.
November 4 2014
Epithelial junction chapter updated
Epithelial junctions, cytoskeleton, and polarity, by Gabriella Pásti and Michel Labouesse (an update of Epithelial junctions and attachments, by Michel Labouesse), is now available in the Cell biology section of WormBook. This chapter discusses the composition, assembly and remodeling of C. elegans cell-cell and hemidesmosome-like cell-extracellular matrix junctions, proteins that anchor the cytoskeleton, and mechanisms involved in establishing epithelial polarity.
October 30 2014
Overview of gene structure updated
Overview of gene structure in C. elegans, by John Spieth, Daniel Lawson, Paul Davis, Gary Williams, and Kevin Howe (an update of Overview of gene structure, by Spieth and Lawson), has just been added to the Genetics and genomics and Molecular biology sections. This chapter describes some of the ways in which gene structures are currently curated in WormBase, primarily focusing on transcribed regions of genes, and also includes an updated description of non-coding RNA genes.
October 20 2014
New issue of The Worm Breeder's Gazette available
Volume 20, Number 2 of The Worm Breeder's Gazette has been published. This issue highlights genome editing and includes 4 articles describing improvements in CRISPR/Cas9 technology, web resources useful for those experiments, and links to published papers in the field. The issue also includes descriptions of other useful tools for the worm community, a caution about the potential effects of bacto-peptone on worm behavior, and several other research summaries. There are also worm humor articles, worm art, and new lab announcements.
October 15 2014
New chapter added to Developmental control
Development and migration of the C. elegans Q neuroblasts and their descendants by Teije Middelkoop and Rik Korswagen has been published. This chapter gives an overview of what is currently known about the mechanisms that mediate and control the development and migration of the Q neuroblasts and their descendants.
August 5 2014
Mechanosensation methods updated
Assaying mechanosensation, by Martin Chalfie, Anne Hart, Catharine Rankin, and Miriam Goodman, has been published in the Behavioral assays section of WormMethods. In addition to updating and expanding assays for a variety of touch responses, the new chapter describes mechanical stimulation during electrical or optical recording.
June 26 2014
Mass spectrometry chapter available in WormMethods
Mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomic analysis of C. elegans protein complexes, by Bryan Fonslow, James Moresco, Patricia Tu, Antti Aalto, Amy Pasquinelli, Andrew Dillin and John Yates, has been published in the Cell and molecular biology section of WormMehtods. This chapter describes the use of mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics coupled with co-immunoprecipitation to discover new interactions among proteins.
May 9 2014
Endogenous RNAi chapter added
Endogenous RNAi pathways in C. elegans by Allison Billi,
Sylvia Fischer, and John Kim, has been published in the Molecular biology section. This chapter reviews
current knowledge of endogenous small interfering RNAs and piwi-interacting RNAs.
May 5 2014
Nematode isolation chapter updated in WormMethods
Isolation of C. elegans and related nematodes,
by Antoine Barrière and Marie-Anne Félix, has been updated in the
Methods in species other than C. elegans section of WormMethods.
In addition to providing information on isolation, culture, and freezing conditions, the updated chapter
adds information on field collection, and expands information on species identification.
The numbering and naming of Caenorhabditis species is described and a list of available collections is provided.
May 2 2014
Links missing from WormBook chapters
In WormBook chapters published between December of 2013 and the present, the links
to WormBase for protein names are missing. We apologize for this inconvenience and
are working to resolve this problem as soon as possible.
April 28 2014
Updated chapter added to Cell Biology
C. elegans as a model for membrane traffic
, by Ken Sato, Anne Norris, Miyuki Sato, and Barth Grant has been published in the Cell biology section. This chapter updates
Intracellular trafficking
, by Barth Grant and Miyuki Sato.
The new chapter summarizes progress in understanding membrane trafficking mechanisms, and focuses mainly on work done in
non-neuronal cell-types, especially the germline, early embryo, coelomocytes, and intestine.
April 21 2014
Meeting announcement
Evolutionary Biology of Caenorhabditis and other Nematodes
will be held June 14-17, 2014,
at the Wellcome Trust Genome Camps, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract and Bursary deadline is May 2, Registration deadline is May 16.
April 8 2014
Sperm motility chapter updated
Nematode sperm motility,
by Harold Smith, has been published in the Cell biology
section of WormBook. This chapter updates the information presented in Sperm
motility and MSP and includes expanded discussion on the acquisition,
directionality, force generation and guidance of sperm motility.
April 4 2014
New chapter added to WormMethods
Modern techniques for the analysis of chromatin and nuclear organization in C. elegans
, by Peter Askjaer, Sevinç Ercan, and Peter Meister, has been published in the Cell and molecular biology
section of WormMethods. This chapter provides detailed methods for using ChIP and DamID to
identify binding sites for chromatin-associated proteins, methods for ChIP and DamID quantification,
and methods for live chromatin imaging.
March 26 2014
New issue of The Worm Breeder's Gazette now available
Volume 20, No. 1
of The Worm Breeder's Gazette has been published.
Among the articles are descriptions of improved techniques for mutant
identification via whole genome sequencing, culturing C. elegans cells,
and preserving histological samples. Meeting and new lab announcements are
included along with worm art and humor.
February 24 2014
Thermotaxis methods published in WormBook
Thermotaxis navigation behavior,
by Miriam Goodwin et al., has been added to the Behavioral assays section of WormMethods.
This chapter gives multiple protocols to assay the navigation of C. elegans hermaphrodites on spatial thermal gradients.
A method to assay avoidance of noxious temperatures is also included.
February 19 2014
WormBook congratulates Scott Emmons and colleagues
The Connectome of a Decision-Making Neural Network,
by Travis A. Jarrell, Yi Wang, Adam E. Bloniarz, Christopher A. Brittin, Meng Xu, J. Nichol Thomson, Donna G. Albertson,
David H. Hall, and Scott Emmons, has received the Newcomb Cleveland Prize, awarded to the most
outstanding paper published in Science in the year June 2012 to May 2013.
Cited as a tour de force among many competitive entries by Science editor-in-chief Marcia McNutt,
this paper presents the wiring diagram of the posterior nervous system of the
C. elegans adult male, providing a step toward understanding the connection between neural activity and behavior.
January 21 2014
Mutagenesis protocols added to WormMethods
Forward and reverse mutagenesis in C. elegans
by Lena Kutscher and Shai Shaham has been published in the Forward and reverse genetics section of WormMethods.
This chapter provides an overview of historical and contemporary mutagenesis techniques, and discusses principles and strategies
for forward (genome-wide) and reverse (target-selected and gene-specific) genetic screens. Protocols for recently-developed
systems for gene-targeted mutagenesis in C. elegans, including those using Zinc-finger or transcription activator-like nucleases and CRISPR/Cas9, are provided.
January 7 2014
Genetics methods chapter published in WormMethods
Classical genetic methods,
by David Fay, has been published in the Forward genetics
and genetic mapping section of WormMethods. This chapter combines several previous
chapters by David Fay, Aaron Bender, Andy Spencer, and Wade Johnson.
January 7 2014
Microparticle bombardment chapter added to WormMethods
C. elegans gene transformation by microparticle bombardment by Peter Schweinsberg and
Barth Grant has been published in the Microinjection and transformation section of WormMethods.
This chapter provides a detailed description of the reagents, equipment, and method for biolistic transformation of C. elegans.
January 7 2014
Insulin signaling chapter added to WormBook
Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling in C. elegans,
by Coleen Murphy and Patrick Hu, has been added to the Signal transduction section.
This chapter reviews what is currently known about the components, function,
and regulation of the C. elegans insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway.
December 9 2013
Wnt signaling chapter updated
Wnt signaling in C. elegans
by Hitoshi Sawa and Hendrik Korswagen has been added to Signal transduction.
This chapter is an update of Wnt signaling by David Eisenmann.
Canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways
and their components are described and an animated model of asymmetric cell division is included.
October 3 2013
Transgenesis chapter added to WormMethods
Transgenesis in animal parasites nematodes: Strongyloides spp. and Brugia spp.
by James Lok and Thomas Unnasch has been added to the Methods for nematode
species other than C. elegens section of WormMethods. This chapter describes methods
for gene transfer for these parasites as well as providing information on their rearing and maintenance.
Germline transformation, sustained transgene expression, and establishment of stable transgenic lines in Strongyloides ratti is also discussed.
October 1 2013
2013 Faucett Catalyst Awards
We are very happy to announce the winners of the two 2013 Faucett Catalyst Awards.
The Awards, which are meant to stimulate research by C. elegans scientists on problems relating to parasitic
nematodes, will be given to Jonathan Hodgkin of Oxford University (Comparing surface coat biochemistry in
C. elegans and parasitic nematodes) and Jennifer Watts of Washington State University (Pilot studies to determine
if the dietary fatty acid dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) causes sterility in plant-parasitic nematodes).
The evaluating committee (Martin Chalfie, Barton Slatko, Susan Strome, and William Sullivan) received twenty
thoughtful proposals and narrowing the field to just two winners was very difficult. The committee hopes to raise
additional funds, so that we can have a new competition next year.
September 24 2013
Microfluidics chapter published in WormMethods
Microfluidics as a tool for C. elegans research by Adriana San-Miguel and Hang Lu
has been published in the Microscopy and other instrumentation section of WormMethods.
This chapter includes resources for chip fabrication and methods for in-house fabrication of devices with
soft lithography, as well as applications such as behavioral assays, imaging, microsurgery and screening.
August 20 2013
Volume 19, Number 4 of The Worm Breeder's Gazette now available
Volume 19, #4 of The Worm Breeder's Gazette has just been published.
This issue contains important announcements from the CGC and the WormBase Gene Name Curator,
articles describing new techniques and research results, summaries and abstracts from workshops presented
at the recent International C. elegans meeting, new lab announcements, and a humorous 'News' section.
August 14 2013
New chapter added to Neurobiology and behavior
The Neuronal genome of Caenorhabditis elegans, by Oliver Hobert, has been published in the
Function section of Neurobiology and behavior. This comprehensive chapter provides a
compendium of more than 2,800 putative terminal differentiation genes expressed in neurons.
Several tables listing genes by family are included.
July 11 2013
Ras signaling chapter updated in Signal transduction
Canonical RTK-Ras-ERK signaling and related alternative pathways
by Meera Sundaram has been added to the Signal transduction section of WormBook.
This chapter updates RTK/Ras/MAPK signaling also by Meera Sundaram.
In addition to describing the basic framework, roles, and regulation of the canonical RTK-Ras-ERK
pathway, this chapter also discusses alternative RTK- or Ras-dependent pathways.
July 11 2013
Chapter on the UCSC Genome Browser added to WormMethods
An introduction to the UCSC Genome Browser by Raymond Lee
has been published in the Basic methods for C. elegans section of WormMethods.
The Genome Browser at the University of California Santa Cruz provides a graphical
interface to sequences, features, and annotations of genomes across a wide spectrum of organisms
including seven nematodes. This article provides a brief introduction for using the Genome Browser from the perspective of a C. elegans researcher.
July 10 2013
TGF-β signaling chapter updated
TGF-β signaling in C. elegans by Tina Gumienny and Cathy Savage-Dunn has
been published in the Signal transduction section of WormBook.
This chapter updates TGF-β signaling by Cathy Savage-Dunn.
In addition to describing the TGF-β family members, this chapter discusses
their ligands, DBL-1, DAF-7, and UNC-129, their signaling pathways, and their biological functions.
July 10 2013
Faucett Catalyst Grant deadline
The deadline for applications for the Faucett Catalyst Grants to attract C. elegans
researchers to work on parasitic nematodes is August 15, 2013. Click here for
additional information.
July 9 2013
Statistics chapter added to WormMethods
A biologist's guide to statistical thinking and analysis
by David Fay and Ken Gerow has been added to the Basic
methods for C. elegans section of WormMethods. Using examples drawn from C. elegans biology, this chapter
lucidly describes the concepts of statistics likely to be used by many nematode researchers. The chapter includes
discussions on sample size, normality, means, proportions, probabilities, correlations, and non-parametric methods.
June 25 2013
WormBook launches WormHistory section
WormBook is pleased to announce the addition of our newest section,
WormHistory.
This section will contain articles that give a personal view of highlights in nematode research.
We launch the section with
Getting into the mind of a worm-a personal view by John White,
in which he describes his recruitment into the world of C. elegans by Sidney Brenner and the
work that led to the publication of "The Mind of a Worm". WormHistory also contains links
to Nobel Lectures, Genetics Perspectives, and People and Ideas interviews from The Journal of Cell Biology.
June 4 2013
Transcription regulation chapter updated in Molecular Biology
Transcriptional regulation of gene expression in C. elegans
by Valerie
Reinke, Michael Krause and Peter Okkema has been added to the
Molecular biology section. This chapter updates
Transcriptional regulation
by Peter Okkema and Michael Krause, and includes discussions of gene organization
and regulation, transcription factors and their targets, chromatin regulatory complexes,
and genome-scale analyses of transcription regulation. Sortable Excel lists of transcription
factors and their targets are also provided.
March 14 2013
Pristionchus pacificus protocols updated in WormMethods
Pristionchus pacificus
protocols has been revised and greatly expanded by Andre Pires da Silva.
In addition to updated protocols for freezing, mutagenesis, deletion libraries
and gene knockdown in P. pacificus, the revised chapter includes
protocols for: in situ hybridization, isolating genomic DNA for whole
genome sequencing, extracting compounds from worm supernatant, electron microscopy,
immunofluorescence, transgenesis, and mapping mutants with molecular markers.
February 22 2013
New Worm Breeder's Gazette published
Volume 19, #3 of The Worm Breeder's Gazette has just been
published. In addition to beautiful cover artwork by Greg Nelson and Feng Xue,
this issue contains 18 articles as well as announcements of 5 new labs.
February 21 2013
Chapter on cell culture added to WormMethods
Cell isolation and culture
by Sihui Zhang and Jeffrey Kuhn has been published in the Methods in cell biology
section. This chapter provides comprehensive techniques and media recipes for
large-scale isolation and culture of primary embryonic and larval cells from
C. elegans.
January 18 2013
New chapter published in Biochemistry
Ascaroside signaling in C. elegans, by Andrease Ludewig and Frank Schroeder, has been added to the Biochemistry section. This chapter describes the function, structure, biosynthesis and receptors of these small signaling molecules.
January 17, 2013
Updated chapter added to Signal transduction
Notch signaling: genetics and structure by Iva Greenwald and Rhett Kovall, which updates LIN-12/Notch signaling in C. elegans by Iva Greenwald, has been published in the Signal transduction section. In addition to covering the genetics of Notch in C. elegans, the updated chapter describes how recent advances in the structural biology of Notch signaling have enhanced understanding of its molecular mechanism.
December 18, 2012
Feeding behavior chapter added to WormMethods
Methods for measuring pharyngeal behaviors, by David Raizen, Bo-mi Song, Nick Trojanowski and Youn-Jai You, has been published in the Behavior section of WormMethods. Protocols for measuring and analyzing pharyngeal activity such as feeding rate, the timing of pharyngeal movements and the cessation of feeding are provided.
December 13, 2012
smFISH protocol now available in WormMethods
Single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) of C. elegans worms and embryos by Ni Ji and Alexander van Oudenaarden has just been published in the Gene expression section of WormMethods. The authors provide the necessary technical details to set up and perform smFISH, from sample preparation to data analysis.
November 30, 2012
New Chapter added to Sex determination
Morphogenesis of the vulva and the vulva-uterine connection by Bhagwati Gupta, Wendy Hanna-Rose and Paul Sternberg has been published in the Sex determination section. This chapter updates the information on vulva morphogenesis found in Vulva development and provides more in-depth discussion on this topic.
November 29, 2012
New chapter on Eph receptor signaling published
Eph receptor signaling in C. elegans by Michael A. Miller and Ian D. Chin-Sang is available in the Signal transduction section. This chapter describes advances in our understanding of the biological functions and transduction mechanisms of this important class of receptor protein-tyrosine kinases.
November 20, 2012
Updated chapter published in Biochemistry
Trans-splicing and operons in C. elegans by Thomas Blumenthal is available in the Biochemistry section of WormBook.
This is an update of Trans-splicing and operons, published in 2005. The updated chapter describes advances in our
understanding of the mechanism and evolution of trans-splicing, and the structure and function of operons in C. elegans.
September 13, 2012
Worm trackers described in WormMethods
Keeping track of worm trackers, by Steven Husson et al. has
been added to the Behavior section of WormMethods. This chapter
describes several methods for automated image capture and
quantitation of nematode locomotion.
July 6, 2012
New Worm Breeder's Gazette published
The latest issue, Volume 19, number 2, of The Worm Breeder's Gazette is now available. Please click here to read about new techniques, research advances, useful web resources and more. This issue also includes lists of notable recent papers in genetics, biochemistry and reproductive biology as well as announcements of new C. elegans labs.
May 22, 2012
New chapter published in Neurobiology and behavior
C. elegans feeding has been published in the Neurobiology and behavior section of WormBook. This chapter, by Leon Avery and Young-jai You, describes the mechanics of feeding, the actions of the neurons and muscles involved, and the effects of food on behavior.
March 23, 2012
Updated chapter added
Pre-mRNA splicing and its regulation by Alan Zahler has just been added to the Molecular biology section.
This chapter updates the review of constitutive splicing factors, identification of alternatively spliced genes,
and regulation of alternative splicing found in it's predecessor, Alternative splicing in C. elegans.
It also and adds discussions on the coupling of alternative splicing to nonsense-mediated decay and the progress
toward identifying the alternative splicing code in C. elegans.
December 20, 2011
The Worm Breeder's Gazette Publishes A New Issue
The Worm Breeder's Gazette, Volume 19, number 1 is now available. This issue contains improved protocols
for imaging, snPCR, immunoblotting, transgenesis and worm pick construction. Please click here to read more ...
August 11, 2011
New Worm Breeder's Gazette Published: Volume 18, Number 4
A new issue of The Worm Breeder's Gazette is now available!
This issue includes a description
of new software for managing gene lists, instructions on how to
run your own WormBase via Amazon's Cloud, improvements in
automated lineage tracking and in RNAi feeding of multiple genes,
and several other useful articles. We thank the authors and the
worm community for contributing to the Worm Breeder's Gazette.
Submissions for the next Volume are due December 1, 2011. You can submit articles online anytime. Please see the instructions for authors for details.
December 18, 2010
Third issue of the Worm Breeder's Gazette now available
Volume 18, number 3 of the Worm Breeder's Gazette is now available at http://www.wormbook.org/wbg/, or by clicking the Gazette cover. This issue includes new protocols for mounting worms for microscopy, preparation of dauer larvae, and establishing gradients for chemotaxis assays. Additional articles describe sequence corrections, new software, expression profiles, neural networks, available expression clones, and studies of chemotaxis and self recognition.
October 4, 2010
Neurogenesis chapter updated
'Neurogenesis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans' by Oliver Hobert has been added to the Neurobiology and behavior section. This new chapter is an update and expansion of his previous chapter, 'Specification of the nervous system'.
June 17, 2010
The Worm Breeder’s Gazette, Volume 18, number 2 now available
A new issue of The Worm Breeder's Gazette is now available at http://www.wormbook.org/wbg/. This issue includes 25 contributions describing new methods for selecting transformants, useful strains and vectors, bioinformatics resources, visualization methods and more.
May 3, 2010
The Worm Breeder's Gazette, Volume 18, number 2 coming soon
We are currently soliciting contributions (due may 15) for the second issue of the online Worm Breeder's Gazette, to be published June 15, 2010. For further information and author instructions, please see http://www.wormbook.org/wbg.html.
May 2, 2010
Ethanol chapter now available
Ethanol, by Steven McIntire, is now available in html and pdf formats.
March 5, 2010
New chapter on evolution available
'Molecular evolution inferences from the C. elegans genome'
by Asher Cutter has been added to the Evolution and ecology section. This
chapter discusses mutation, recombination, natural selection, genetic
drift and population dynamics in C. elegans.
February 8, 2010
New chapter added to WormMethods
'Transgenic solutions for the germline' by Cristopher Merritt and
Geraldine Seydoux has been added to the Transformation and
microinjection section of WormMethods. This chapter gives advice and
protocols for designing and transforming germline-expressing transgenes.
December 15, 2009
The Worm Breeder's Gazette, Volume 18, number 1 now available
The first issue of The Worm Breeder's Gazette in its new on-line format is now available at
http://www.wormbook.org/wbg/. This issue includes over 30
contributions including an editorial by Marty Chalfie, information on a common background mutation,
new ways to visualize molecules, and several new techniques.
October 19, 2009
RETURN OF THE WORM BREEDER'S GAZETTE
WormBook is reviving the Worm Breeder's Gazette in electronic form.
The Worm Breeder's Gazette is an informal, non-refereed publication
for facilitating the exchange of information among nematode
researchers. We are currently soliciting contributions (due Nov. 15)
for our first issue, to be published Dec. 15, 2009. For further information
and author instructions, please see http://www.wormbook.org/wbg.html.
September 8, 2009
SYSTEM OUTAGE SEP. 9, 1-5PM EDT
*** Due to server maintenance, WormBook pages may be unavailable on Wednesday September 9th, 1-5pm EDT. ***
August 24, 2009
New chapter added to Cell biology
'Autophagy' by Alicia Meléndez and Beth Levine is now available in the Cell biology section. This chapter details the evolutionarily conserved features of autophagy in C. elegans, describes tools to study this process, and discusses the role of autophagy in several aspects of C. elegans biology.
April 30, 2009
WormBook receives support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences by supporting research and other scientific and educational activities, has made a substantial contribution to WormBook over the next two years. We thank them for their generous support of online open-access publication.
April 30, 2009
WormBook receives support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences by supporting research and other scientific and educational activities, has made a substantial contribution to WormBook over the next two years. We thank them for their generous support of online open-access publication.
February 20, 2009
New chapter added to Biochemistry
'Intermediary metabolism' by Bart Braeckman, Koen Houthoofd and Jacques Vanfleteren has been added to the Biochemistry section. This chapter describes the major metabolic pathways in C. elegans, and discusses how metabolic activity changes in response to development, aging and environmental stress.
October 8, 2008
Martin Chalfie wins Nobel Prize for GFP in C. elegans.
WormBook Editor-in-Chief Martin
Chalfie (with Osamu Shimomura and Roger Y. Tsien) has won the
2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for
introducing GFP as a biological marker. This is the third Nobel
Prize awarded for research on C. elegans in the last six years. Congratulations Marty!
September 25, 2008
SNP methods chapter updated
SNPs: introduction and 2-point mapping by David Fay and Aaron Bender has been updated in the Forward genetics and genetic mapping section of WormMethods. This updated chapter includes expanded instruction on the use of SNP databases and additional graphics related to SNP mapping.
September 25, 2008
New chapter added to Neurobiology and Behavior
Neuropeptides has been added to the Neurotransmitters section of Neurobiology and behavior. This chapter provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of neuropeptide biology in C. elegans as well as extensive tables detailing peptide sequences, expression patterns and functions.
September 9, 2008
New chapter added to The germ line section
We are pleased to announce that Germline survival and apoptosis has been added to The germ line section. WormBook readers are welcome to read the new chapter and post feedbacks at the WormBook forum.
May 13, 2008
Discussion forum expanded
Links to the WormBook discussion forum now appear on each chapter page. Clicking 'View/Add Comments' will take you to a new chapter level folder in the discussion board. If you would like to be notified when new comments are posted to a particular chapter, please login and then use the ‘NOTIFY’ button on the chapter level. Please register or log in and let us know what you think.
May 13, 2008
Figures resized in HTML chapters
WormBook chapters are now easier to read online because all figures have been resized for clarity. Figures can also be further expanded with a simple mouse click.
Jan 25, 2008
Post-embryonic development section expanded
The measurement and analysis of age-related changes in Caenorhabditis elegans is now available in the Post-embryonic development section of WormBook. Please visit this chapter to read about aging in C. elegans.
Jan 24, 2008
WormBook chapters indexed in PubMed
We are pleased to announce that most WormBook chapters are now indexed in PubMed. Abstracts are linked directly to the full text at WormBook.
Nov 02, 2007
New chapter added to the Disease models and drug discovery section
Anthelmintic drugs has just been published in the Disease models and drug discovery section of WormBook. This chapter summarizes the modes of action of the main classes of anthelmintic drugs, their utility in studying cell signaling in C. elegans, and the use of C. elegans in drug discovery programs.
Aug 09, 2007
New chapter added to the Post-embryonic development section
Dauer has just been published in the Post-embryonic development section of WormBook. Please visit this section to read about the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms regulating dauer arrest.
Aug 06, 2007
WormBook staff change
Tristan Fiedler, who led the software development group at WormBook, has left WormBook. He has taken a faculty position at the Florida Institute of Technology. Tristan guided the development of every aspect of the web site. He developed the methods to convert manuscripts to web-ready articles; he designed the initial layout of the web site; and he generated the programs to search WormBook, download reference citations, and provide feedback. His input on all aspects of WormBook will be missed.
Daniel Wang has expanded his involvement with WormBook and will serve as Production Manager, overseeing production and the web site.
Jul 30, 2007
WormBook staff changes
WormBook Editor Lisa Girard has moved to a position at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Lisa guided WormBook from its beginning, and her creativity, dedication, and efficiency were essential for its success. Lisa was involved in all aspects of WormBook production: she prodded authors, reviewers, and editorial board members to keep WormBook on schedule, edited and oversaw the publication of 140 chapters on the web, and successfully negotiated WormBook's inclusion on the NIH Bookshelf and in PubMed. Lisa leaves WormBook in excellent shape. We wish her continued success in her new position.
We are fortunate that Jane Mendel has joined us as the new WormBook Editor. Jane, a WormBook author, is a Senior Research Associate and Lecturer at Caltech, and has a strong background in C. elegans research as well as experience in teaching Introductory Biology and in using C. elegans as a teaching tool.
May 24, 2007
New parasitic nematode chapter added
Strongyloides spp. has just been published in the Genetics and genomics section of WormBook, further expanding our coverage of parasitic nematodes.
May 7, 2007
Disease models and drug discovery section expanded
C. elegans and volatile anesthetics is now available in the Disease models and drug discovery section of WormBook. This addition contributes to our coverage of this quickly growing area.
May 4, 2007
New chapters added to Molecular biology and Genetics and genomics section
Roles of chromatin factors in C. elegans development has just been added to the Molecular biology section of WormBook and Genomics and biology of the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae has just been added to the Genetics and genomics section. Please visit these sections to read the latest additions to WormBook.
Apr 27, 2007
Introducing Caenorhabditis brenneri
The previously undescribed C. sp. 4 (also known as 'CB5161' or 'PB2801') is now Caenorhabditis brenneri, named after Sydney Brenner (Sudhaus and Kiontke, 2007).
Mar 29, 2007
New chapter added to Developmental control section
The C. elegans intestine has just been published in the Developmental control section of WormBook. Please visit this section for coverage of early developmental events.
Mar 29, 2007
Disease models and drug discovery section launched
WormBook is pleased to launch its new Disease models and drug discovery section with the publication of Obesity and the regulation of fat metabolism. Please watch for the publication of more chapters in this section describing progress in our understanding of disease and therapeutics.
Mar 22, 2007
Cell biology section expanded
The cuticle has just been published in the Cell biology section of WormBook. Readers are encouraged to visit the Cell biology section to read this chapter and related chapters exploring the cell biology of C. elegans.
Mar 5, 2007
WormBook Survey
Please take a few minutes to complete the WormBook Survey. Your response will help us improve the nature and quality of the service we provide our readers.
Feb 24, 2007
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora chapter added to Genetics and Genomics section
WormBook has further expanded its coverage of parasitic nematodes with the addition of The biology and genome of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Please visit the Genetics and genomics section of WormBook to read this and other chapters describing the biology and genomes of nematodes other than C. elegans.
Feb 21, 2007
New Chapters in WormMethods and Neurobiology and Behavior
Wormbook readers are invited to read two new chapters, Biogenic amine neurotransmitters in C. elegans in the Neurobiology and behavior section and Strongyloides stercoralis: a model for translational research on parasitic nematode biology in WormMethods.
Feb 17, 2007
16th International C. elegans Meeting-Abstract Submission Site Now Open
16th International C. elegans Meeting will be held June 27- July 1, 2007 at the University of California, Los Angeles. Meeting information can be found at http://genetics.faseb.org/genetics/Celegans/. The abstract submission site is now open. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 22. The deadline for registration is May 25.
Feb 16, 2007
Ronald Plasterk Joins Dutch Government
Effective February 22nd 2007, longtime C. elegans researcher Ronald Plasterk will join the Government of the Netherlands, serving as Minister of Education, Science and Culture.
Feb 6, 2007
GSA Meeting Announcement
The Genetics Society of America's upcoming Genetic Analysis: Model Organisms to Human Biology Meeting will be held January 5-8, 2008 in San Diego, CA at the Town and Country Hotel.
Jan 30, 2007
New Chapter Added to Neurobiology and Behavior Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our newly added chapter Acetylcholine in WormBook's Neurobiology and behavior section.
Jan 26, 2007
News & Notes now via RSS
WormBook now provides an rss feed for worm researchers to remain up-to-date with the rapid addition of new chapters.
EndNote v.8 import instructions available
A set of instructions for importing the entire WormBook reference set into Endnote v.8 has been added to the WormBook website.
Jan 23, 2007
Pharynx Organogenesis Chapter Added to Developmental Control Section
The C. elegans pharynx: a model for organogenesis has been added to the Developmental control section of WormBook. Readers are encouraged to visit this section to read this chapter and others pertaining to early developmental events.
Jan 5, 2007
New Chapter Added to Post-embryonic Development Section
The Post-embryonic development section of WormBook has been launched with the publication of Gene expression changes associated with aging in C. elegans. Additional chapters related to the topics of aging and development will be upcoming.
Dec 31, 2006
Year-end Addition to WormMethods Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our last new chapter before 2007 Caenorhabditis briggsae methods in WormBook's WormMethods section. Happy New Year, WormBook readers!
Dec 22, 2006
New Chapter Added to Biochemistry Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our newly added chapter Carbohydrates and glycosylation in WormBook's expanded section - Biochemistry.
Nov 29, 2006
New Chapter Added to Cell Biology Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our newly added chapter The sensory cilia of Caenorhabditis elegans in WormBook Cell biology section.
Nov 27, 2006
New Chapter Added to Genetics and Genomics Section
Biology and genome of Trichinella spiralis has been added to the Genetics and genomic
s section of WormBook, further expanding our content covering nematodes other than C. elegans.
Nov 22, 2006
nGASP update
Expanded training data including repeat sequences, alignment orientation, and updated protein alignment files have been posted on the nGASP websit
e. The deadline for Phase I has been extended to Dec. 31, 2006.
Nov 6, 2006
New Chapter Added to Signal Transduction Section
Wormbook readers are now invited to read the most recent addition to the Signal transduction section, Heterotrimeric G prote
ins in C. elegans.
Oct 30, 2006
New Chapter Added to Neurobiology and Behavior Section
Chemosensation in C. elegans is now available to readers in the Neurobiology and behavior
section of WormBook.
Oct 20, 2006
nGASP: nematode Genome Annotation Assessment Project
nGASP will be evaluating gene prediction software on the C. elegans genome. Please see the nGASP project page for details.
Oct 10, 2006
2007 C. elegans Meeting
The 16th International C. elegans Meeting sponsored by the Genetics Society of America will be held June 27 - July 1, 2007 at UCLA.
Neurophysiological WormMethods Chapters Added
WormBook readers are invited to view the latest WormMethods chapters, Culture of embryonic C. elegans cells for electrophysiological and pharmacological
analyses & Electrophysiological recordings from the neuromuscular junction of C. elegans
Oct 2, 2006
Fire and Mello awarded Nobel Prize for RNAi!
Congratulations to C. elegans researchers Andrew Fire and Craig Mello, the 2006 Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of RNA interference.
(more...)
Sep 7, 2006
Three New WormBook Chapters
Recent additions to WormBook include
C. elegans network biology: a beginning,
Oscheius tipulae, and
Transcription mechanisms.
For a monthly email containing information about new additions to WormBook, please sign up at www.wormbook.org/announce.html.
Aug 31, 2006
Recent Additions to WormBook
WormBook has recently added "Heterologous expression of C. elegans ion channels in Xenopus oocytes" to the Neurophysiological methods section of WormMethods. Additionally, two new Pris
tionchus pacificus chapters have been published: "Pristionchus pacificus genomics: from genetics to genome sequence" in WormMethods and "Pristionchus pacificus" in the Genetics and ge
nomics section of WormBook, launching our new subsection "Biology and genome of nematodes other than C. elegans".
July 31, 2006
New WormBook Chapters and WormMethods Sections
There were several new additions to WormBook's WormMethods section in July including "Behavior", "Immunohistochemistry", "Protocols for large scale in situ hybridization on C. elegans larvae", and a new methods section containing methods and protocols for nematode species other than C. elegans. This section currently has two chapters, "Pristionchus pacificus genetic protocols" and "Isolation of C. elegans and related nematodes", with more to be added soon. The Neurobiology and behavior section of WormBook has also expanded this month with the publication of "Male mating behavior".
All WormBook content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.