Elinor Williams
Pronouns: she, her
Research Mentor(s): Scott Leiser
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Molecular and integrative Physiology / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 3 – 1:40pm – 2:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Elinor Williams, Rebecca Cox, Scott Leiser
Presenter: 53
Abstract
Mild hormetic stress can improve health and increase lifespan across a variety of organisms. This stress refers to small, long-term induction of stress response pathways such as low oxygen or nutrients. Our work utilizes laboratory bacterial strains that were evolved for increased stress resistance. Using multiple behavioral assays, we tested how different bacteria affected C. elegans health. These assays included thrashing, pumping, locomotion, and food choice. The thrashing assay evaluates the health of worms by measuring their maximum output of movement. Worms consume their bacterial food sources through a pumping of the pharynx, and the rate of decline can predict lifespan (wormbook, which she should have cited). The locomotion assay confirmed that bacterial food source does not affect the worms’ ability to move, allowing us to test whether worms would express a preference between bacterial strains. Our results indicate that stress resistant bacteria can improve worms’ performance on healthspan measures, but worms have more difficulty distinguishing between wild type and beneficial bacteria.
Interdisciplinary, Natural/Life Sciences, Natural/Life Sciences
