Who would have thought worms could play an important role in determining the possible dual role of a protein? With the help of a digital student microscope, researchers can determine if duality of a specific is possible.

In the original article, two Vanderbilt seniors were interviewed on their work as staff members in growing worm food for the biology department of Vanderbilt under David Miller. David Miller’s worm laboratory needs these lab worms, C. elegans, warm and well-fed in order for their research to be successful.

Working on the worm laboratory for three years now, according to the original article, the two Vanderbilt seniors, Kim Dalton and Carolyn Maune are also working on their own research aside from making worm food. Kim Dalton is a molecular biology and computer science major while Carolyn Maune majors in molecular biology and chemistry.

Using digital student microscopes, these two researchers and laboratory staff members have collaborated with an Israeli researcher, who produces the test worms with gene mutations, in producing target receptors for the protein they are studying. The objective of their study was to determine if a target receptor also plays a role in making the worm’s ability to sense or be aware of chemicals in the environment (duality).

Their experiment consists of positioning a drop of water and a drop of choline in separate sides. Choline, according o the original article, helps in the transmission of nere impulses. Normally, worms are attracted and crawl into the drop of choline. The test worms who have gene mutations, however, still remains in the center of the dish. A probable explanation suggests that the receptor for the protein is within the chemosensory system since probably the test worms cannot smell the choline.

Like any other science experiments, the two researchers have quickly discovered the trials and complexities of doing laboratory research. Trial after trial was done in order to make one thing work.
The stereotypes that scientists and laboratory technicians are boring or impersonal were dismissed by the two researchers. Their own experience in the laboratory made them realize that these are real people with their own unique personalities working the lab. They don’t wear a lab coat in the worm farm. And according to the article, a motorized talking toy inspired by the movie Gremlins sits and talks on a shelf whenever someone disturbs it. There is also a disco ball and a stereo with stacks of cd inside the laboratory. Rock music and light jazz plays in two different areas of the laboratory.

What do these C. elegans eat? Both Dalton and Maune grows and incubate bacteria for the C. elegans to eat. Both have to be careful, however, in preventing contamination of the bacteria.

The two researchers, with the aid of digital student microscopes that is hooked to a computer screen, learned genetic microscopic techniques like fluorescent labeling and mapping. They can also observe the neurons of the worms which were marked with fluorescence dye. With the worm crawling around, the digital student microscope projects the image into a computer screen, making it possible for the observer to see the glowing neuron in the body of the worm. Article link