Stress Resistance


Stress is defined as a disturbance in homeostasis. This disturbance affects the central nervous system, leading to the modulation of many neurotransmitters, the behavior, the immune system, cardiovascular responses and the gastrointestinal tract. Animal models have been indispensable in the study of stress, and consequently in shedding lights on our understanding of what stress is about. Below you will find some examples of stress response measurement using our WMicrotracker system.



Oxidative Stress in C.elegans

For the past 40 years or so, oxidative stress has been increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in aging and in various forms of pathophysiology generally associated with aging. Research in C.elegans has contributed to understand many factors involved in aging, as well as the discovery of new molecules that help to reduce free radicals and oxidative stress damage.
Using WMicrotracker, it is possible to easy emulate pharmacologically oxidative stress and measure the effect of new small molecules, genes or natural compounds. Below we present an example of application.


Pharmacological model of oxidative stress using Paraquat
In this experiment we can observe the dynamics of oxidative stress model, and a small protective effect of C Vitamin when worms are exposed to 10mM of Paraquat.

Methodology: (1)Grow synchronized populations of worms in NGM plates. (2)Remove worms from plates using buffer. (3)Count #worms in 10ul, and adjust volume to get [5worms/10ul]. (4)Transfer 90ul of worm solution to 96well microplates using multichannel pipette. (5)Incubate with potential antioxidant molecules. (optional:)Let worms to rest for 1h and measure basal activity using WMicrotracker. (5)Add Paraquat. (6)Register worm activity using WMicrotracker.






Thermal Stress in C.elegans

Thermotolerance evolution of poikilothermic organisms consists in adaptation to temperature conditions of habitats of such physiological features as the lower and upper limits of temperature for reproduction, development and behavior and resistance of organisms to short-term temperature extremes.
Using WMicrotracker, it is possible to easy measure thermotolerance in small organisms and measure the effect of novel small molecules, genes or natural compounds. Below we present an example of application.


Protective effect of plant extract
In this experiment we can observe the kinetics of thermal stress, and a protective effect of the aqueous extract of an Argentinian plant.

Methodology: (1)Grow synchronized populations of worms in NGM plates. (2)Remove worms from plates using buffer. (3)Count #worms in 10ul, and adjust volume to get [5worms/10ul]. (4)Transfer 90ul of worm solution to 96well microplates using multichannel pipette. (5)Incubate with potential protective molecules. (optional:)Let worms to rest for 1h and measure basal activity using WMicrotracker. (6/7)Place the WMicrotracker inside the incubator, put the microplate, and Subject to heatshock.