Primary Assay — C. elegans
Thermotaxis
Caenorhabditis elegans
Worms cultivated at a specific temperature navigate thermal gradients to their cultivation temperature (isothermal tracking). Temperature-food associations can be learned and reversed. AFD neuron pair is the primary thermosensor.
Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Caenorhabditis elegans.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred temperature | °C | Peak accumulation on gradient |
| Isothermal tracking duration | s | Time spent within ±0.5°C of cultivation temp |
| Cryophilic/thermophilic index | ratio | Direction of movement bias |
| Temperature-food association | shift in °C | Change in preferred temp after retraining |
References
Citations for Thermotaxis
- Hedgecock EM, Russell RL. (1975). Normal and mutant thermotaxis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 72(10), 4061-4065. PMID: 1060088
- Mori I, Ohshima Y. (1995). Neural regulation of thermotaxis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature, 376(6538), 344-348. PMID: 7630402
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for C. elegans Research
Worm Tracking Camera System
Automated locomotion and behavior
Chemotaxis Assay Plates
Olfactory and gustatory assays
Thermal Gradient Plate
Thermotaxis
Thrashing Assay Chamber
Neuromuscular function in liquid
Touch Stimulation Probe
Mechanosensation
Related Assays
Other C. elegans Primary Assays
05
Chemotaxis Assay
Caenorhabditis elegans
Worms navigate chemical gradients on agar plates. Standard assay places attractant (e.g., diacetyl, NaCl) at one point a…
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Locomotion / Body Bends
Caenorhabditis elegans
On-plate crawling or in-liquid swimming. Worms generate sinusoidal body waves; body bend frequency, amplitude, and speed…
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Thrashing Assay
Caenorhabditis elegans
Worms in liquid (M9 buffer) perform characteristic C-shaped thrashing movements. Thrashing frequency is a sensitive, rap…
Run Thermotaxis on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your c. elegans facility.
