DIFFRACTION PATTERNS OF LIVE C. ELEGANS: ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS

I am presenting on Wednesday 24th Feb. 2010 at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society. 

3879-Pos/B603 

Session Title: Imaging & Optical Microscopy IV

Jenny Magnes, Kathleen M. Raley-Susman, Rahul Khakurel, Alicia Sampson, Margo Kinneberg, Rebecca Eels.
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA.

parameters of diffraction experiments are explicitly discussed. The commentary will elaborate on the hardware for this type of diffraction experiment.

CME Disclosure:  J. Magnes, None; K.M. Raley-Susman, None; R. Khakurel, None; A. Sampson, None; M. Kinneberg, None; R. Eels, None.

Ideal studies of any type of biological systems are conducted in the subject's natural environment. Microscopy has made huge strides during recent years. Images of life systems are not only available but phenomenal. Nevertheless, powerful microscopic systems can be costly with images tied to focal planes. Sometimes there are other hard to control parameters such as wavelength, intensities, and phosphorescence. Here we present an alternative technique to observe physical and biological parameters of live C.elegans using diffraction. Physical parameters such as worm growth can be observed and quantified over extended time periods using video analysis. Three-dimensional organismal activity, such as locomotion, behavioral response to crowding, egg-laying or physiological processes such as defecation, can also be observed in real-time and quantified.Experimental setup and limiting parameters of diffraction experiments are explicitly discussed. The commentary will elaborate on the hardware for this type of diffraction experiment.