Beyond the initial cell fate decision… Once a cell is determined to assume a particular cell fate, what happens next? What determines what proteins need to be made? How do those proteins assemble into larger complexes? How do cells then function in a responsive manner?
Our lab studies how nematode spermatocytes develop into functional crawling sperm – using the model organism – Caenorhabditis elegans.
Nematodes are cool! Don’t just take my word for it – listen to the SciShow. And as you watch the video, you should know that SB347 was the name of Auanema rhodensis before it got its genus species name in 2017 – and those tough nematodes from Mono Lake are Auanema species as well!
At the level of genes and proteins, C. elegans are not that different from humans. 65% of human disease genes have a counterpart in C. elegans. 83% of the worm proteome has human homologous genes. Paired with its many experimental assets, C. elegans is an important model system for biomedical research.
There are many advantages to studying gametogenesis in C. elegans: 1) Large gonad (light and dark blue), 2) Transparent body, 3) Only 3 days from embryo to fertile adult, and 4) Self-fertile hermaphrodites produce about ~100 embryos per day!