Which light colour is better for Caenorhabditis elegans research

Authors : Ayşe Köylü, Meltem Güleç, Ayça Sena Kayhan

Pages : 10-14

View : 79 | Download : 45

Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Caenorhabditis elegans, due to its short life cycle, transparency and known complete genetic map, is a frequently preferred experimental animal in recent years. Standardization of the laboratory condition is very important. Sometimes, these conditions may have unknown or unpredictable effects on the experimental animal we use. Light is a factor that is often overlooked while conditions such as temperature and humidity of the environment are always in the foreground. Our aim was to find the most compatible light color for a caenorhabditis elegans, also searching if what range of colors would have effect on these worms’ life span. Eggs were collected from adult C. elegans for standardization and then waited for each group to hatch under their own light color conditions (dark, day light, red, blue, green). After the C. elegans became adults, they were subjected to the life span analysis under their own light colors. The experiments continued until the last nematode died and the results were reported via statistical methods for survival analyses using an online application. Red and blue light colors have shortened the worms’ life span otherwise there were nematodes that did not show mortality in the first two phases of green light environment. Nematodes were found to be more successful in survival experiments in dark and light environments that were close to their natural habitats; green light showed similar results with day light and darkness. The survival rates of adult nematodes that completed their development under red and blue light was found to be statistically low when compared to other light colors. The color that really surprised us was the green light; the survival rates of nematodes that completed their development under green light were quite successful in the first two series compared to red and blue colors.
Keywords : Caenorhabditis elegans, colour, life span, light