Wrapping culture plates with Parafilm M increases Caenorhabditis elegans growth.

Objective: Parafilm M is a moisture-resistant thermoplastic commonly used to seal Nematode Growth Media (NGM) agar plates on which the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is cultured. This practice reduces media dehydration and microbial contamination. However, the effects on C.

Erythritol, at insecticidal doses, has harmful effects on two common agricultural crop plants.

Erythritol, a non-nutritive polyol, is the main component of the artificial sweetener Truvia®. Recent research has indicated that erythritol may have potential as an organic insecticide, given its harmful effects on several insects but apparent safety for mammals. However, for erythritol to have practical use as an insecticide in agricultural settings, it must have neutral to positive effects on crop plants and other non-target organisms.

The EFF-1A Cytoplasmic Domain Influences Hypodermal Cell Fusions in C. elegans But Is Not Dependent on 14-3-3 Proteins.

Background: Regulatory and biophysical mechanisms of cell-cell fusion are largely unknown despite the fundamental requirement for fused cells in eukaryotic development. Only two cellular fusogens that are not of clear recent viral origin have been identified to date, both in nematodes. One of these, EFF-1, is necessary for most cell fusions in Caenorhabditis elegans.

New insights into the mechanisms and roles of cell-cell fusion.

Many types of eukaryotic cells can fuse together as part of their normal developmental program or life cycle. This review describes a diverse set of examples of such cell types and focuses attention on several molecules that appear intimately involved in the process of plasma membrane merger that lies at the crux of every cell-fusion event. Some of these examples come from experimental systems where the discovery of molecules essential for cell fusion is sped by the approachability of the experimental organism itself.

Quantitative assays for cell fusion.

Cell fusion would seem to be obviously recognizable upon visual inspection, and many studies employ a simple microscopic fusion index to quantify the rate and extent of fusion in cell culture. However, when cells are not in monolayers or when there is a large background of multinucleation through failed cytokinesis, cell-cell fusion can only be proven by mixing of cell contents. Furthermore, determination of the microscopic fusion index must generally be carried out manually, creating opportunities for unintended observer bias and limiting the numbers of cells assayed and therefore the statistical power of the assay.