A Flame-Free Method for Sterilizing C. elegans Picks, Spatulas, and Scalpels.

Caenorhabtidis elegans (C. elegans) is an optimal model organism for research and education at primarily undergraduate institutions. Undergraduates can quickly learn the sterile technique required to maintain C.

Behavioral Differences between Male and Hermaphrodite .

are microscopic nematodes used extensively as a model organism due to their simplicity, allowing researchers to study basic molecular processes in biology. Most are hermaphrodites, possessing two X chromosomes and the ability to reproduce asexually, but approximately 0.1% are males, arising due to a spontaneous loss of an X chromosome.

The glutamate transporter, GLAST, participates in a macromolecular complex that supports glutamate metabolism.

GLAST is the predominant glutamate transporter in the cerebellum and contributes substantially to glutamate transport in forebrain. This astroglial glutamate transporter quickly binds and clears synaptically released glutamate and is principally responsible for ensuring that synaptic glutamate concentrations remain low. This process is associated with a significant energetic cost.

Expression of four housekeeping proteins in elderly patients with schizophrenia.

We compared protein expression by Western blot analysis in four areas of postmortem brain from patients with schizophrenia and control subjects for several proteins that are often used as controls for Western blot studies: beta-tubulin, actin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and valosin-containing protein. We did not detect any differences in expression between subjects with schizophrenia and a comparison group. These results suggest that all four proteins are suitable loading controls for postmortem studies of schizophrenia.