Experimental Optimization of High Throughput Fitness Assay Protocols using Caenorhabditis Nematodes
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: High throughput experimentation (HTE) is an empirical technique that draws from technological advancement and automation to achieve precision and high replication, while decreasing labour, time, and resources. Initial applications in molecular and microbiology have inspired similar protocols in fields like evolutionary ecology and in eukaryotic organisms. HTE rapidly generates biological knowledge, which is beneficial when studying taxa that are not well characterized, like Caenorhabditis. I aim to optimize, determine the scope, and limitations of empirical data collection using 96-well plate spectrophotometric HTE for bacterial clearing as a proxy for nematode abundance and relative fitness. In nutrient-rich chronic exposure assays, nematode logistic growth rates were similar; saline media did not permit growth. Methods refinement may promote depth and breadth of understanding about Caenorhabditis nematodes across diverse genotypes, phenotypes, species, and selection gradients. Future HTE may employ other taxa and environmental monitoring to investigate biodiversity trends, including community assembly and niche dimensionality.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Wong, Alicia Ruth
Institution: University of Toronto
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132875512