Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39964098›Full record

ArticleCurrent protocols2025

Enhancing Reproducibility in Chemotaxis Assays for Caenorhabditis elegans.

Leona Cesar, Julia Morud

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Current protocols, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. TAXISCAN, Optimizing throughput and behavioral depth in standardbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Leona CesarDepartment of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4480-2000
Julia MorudDepartment of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1925-5938

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The ability of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to navigate complex environments is essential for their survival. This natural behavior is commonly used in chemotaxis assays, which are important tools for studying the function of sensory neurons and neural circuits. Chemotaxis has been essential for discovering fundamental functions in neuronal signaling during the past decades. However, a lack of thoroughly optimized and standardized procedures can lead to variable results that can be difficult to interpret. To improve reproducibility, we optimized several aspects of chemotaxis protocols by testing different odorant concentrations, numbers of worms, and assay durations, as well as the preparation of chemotaxis plates and the washing procedures of worms. The usage of a 2-choice or a 4-choice assay was also evaluated. Our new protocol improves the clarity of results and simplifies worm counting. The protocol optimization is condensed into a 5-day step-by-step protocol that increases the reproducibility of chemotaxis in C. elegans. Compared to previously published chemotaxis protocols, the revised method reduces day-to-day variability using an improved and standardized assay design that ensures clear and reliable results. Several key components in the assay preparation and during the assay have been evaluated based on previous protocols, such as odor concentration, worm density, and assay length. By considering multiple factors that influence the worm's behavior, our optimized protocol enhances the reproducibility of chemotaxis assays in C. elegans, making them more reliable and accessible for studying phenotypes related to olfaction and neural circuit behavior. © 2025 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Optimized Chemotaxis Assay for C. elegans.

Indexed as

Biological AssayCaenorhabditis elegansChemotaxisAnimalsOdorantsReproducibility of ResultsC. eleganschemotaxisodor recognitionreproducibility

Identifiers

PMID39964098
PMCPMC11834369

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.