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Impact of Environmental Manipulation on C. elegans Behavior: Nature vs. Nurture

This study explores how genetics and environment interact to influence behaviors in C. elegans, using Neuropeptide Y receptor as a model. By manipulating social settings, the lifespan, fertility, and feeding behaviors of different strains were observed and analyzed. The results suggest that environmental factors can override genetic coding, leading to significant changes in behavior. Future research includes quantifying consumption using GFP and gathering more anecdotal data. Acknowledgements go to Dr. Richard Kopec, NSF STEP Grant #0969153, Dr. Fidelma O’Leary, Olivia O’Keefe, Cassandra Boduch, and Gilbert Rivera.

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Impact of Environmental Manipulation on C. elegans Behavior: Nature vs. Nurture

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  1. Nature vs. Nurture: Examining the Impact of a Manipulated Environment Allison N. Frando*, Dr. Fidelma O’Leary, St. Edward’s University

  2. Purpose • Personal Interest • Behavioral Neuroscience • NPY-1 • Neuropeptide Y Receptor • Controls behavioral processes • Inability to test human subjects

  3. What are C. elegans? • Microscopic nematodes • 1mm in length • Short lifespan • Hermaphroditic • NPR-1 • Neuropeptide Receptor 1 • Involved in aggregation and social behaviors • Analogous to NPY-1 in humans

  4. Research Question Can Environment Override Genetic Coding in C. elegans?

  5. Strains • Transgenic strains: • N2 Wildtype • AX 301 Solitary • High npr-1 activity • SD 1891 Social • Low npr-1 activity • Feeding behaviors

  6. Methods: Treatments Preferred Social Manipulated x8 Preferred x8 Solitary Manipulated

  7. Lifespan Assay • Age Synchronization • FLDR Plates (8 Worms) • Monitor Survival 4 HOURS

  8. Lifespan Data: Social Strain Number of C. elegans Number of Days

  9. Lifespan Data: Solitary Strain Number of C. elegans Number of Days

  10. Fertility Assay • Age synchronized • Day Five • Count Eggs Laid • Recounted larvae next day 4 HOURS

  11. Fertility Assay Data

  12. Anecdotal Data Social in preferred environment Social in manipulated environment

  13. Conclusions • Environment seems to override genetics • Shorter Lifespan • Decreased Fertility • Future Research • GFP – Quantification of Consumption • Additional anecdotal data

  14. Works Cited http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v458/n7242/full/nature07886.html http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867400816098 http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.1001237 http://www.jove.com/video/3362/visualization-caenorhabditis-elegans-cuticular-structures-using http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1004156 http://www.ncrna.org/glocal/cgi-bin/hgGene?org=C.+elegans&hgg_gene=C39E6.6&hgg_chrom=none&db=ce2

  15. Acknowledgements • Dr. Richard Kopec • NSF STEP Grant #0969153 • Dr. Fidelma O’Leary • Olivia O’Keefe • Cassandra Boduch • Gilbert Rivera

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