Microfluidic approaches for Caenorhabditis elegans research

Anim Cells Syst (Seoul). 2020 Nov 3;24(6):311-320. doi: 10.1080/19768354.2020.1837951.

Abstract

In the last decade, microfluidic methods have proven to be powerful tools for Caenorhabditis elegans research, offering advanced manipulation of worms and precise control of experimental conditions. The advantages of microfluidic chips include their capability of immobilization, automated sorting, and longitudinal measurement, and more. In this review, we focus on control components that are widely used in the design of microfluidic devices, and discuss their functions and working principles that enable advanced manipulation on a chip. Understanding these components will ease the onboarding of researchers inexperienced with microfluidics and help them bring the power of microfluidics to new applications.

Keywords: C. elegans; automation; immobilization; microfluidics; sorting.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This work was supported by National Research Foundation of Korea [grant numbers 2018R1A4A1024506, 2019R1C1C1007124].