Title:Calcium Imaging in C. elegans with Emphasis on Locomotion as a Model
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Author(s): Zhaoyang Feng
Affiliation:
Keywords:
C. elegans, calcium imaging, cameleon, freely behaving animals, G protein signaling, G-CaMP, genetically encoded
calcium indicator, locomotion.
Abstract: C. elegans is a useful model for studying neuronal and genetic mechanisms underlying behavior. Calcium
imaging, facilitated by genetically encoded calcium indicators, is a convenient tool for linking the function of a gene, neuron,
circuit and tissue with a particular behavioral phenotype. Because C. elegans has a transparent body, calcium imaging
can be performed non-invasively in intact animals. Over 10 homemade calcium imaging systems have been used to study
C. elegans, each with a unique strategy to achieve reliable and sensitive results. This review summarizes these strategies,
and compare and contrast their underlying principles. This discussion may help the development of calcium imaging
systems as better research tools.
