Veeren's artistic representation of Nematode worms
A new study led by Dr Veeren Chauhan (www.veerenchauhan.com) has revealed the clearest-ever picture of the surface chemistry of worm species that provides ground-breaking insights into how animals interact with their environment and each other. These discoveries could pave the way for strategies to deepen our understanding of evolutionary adaptations, refine behavioural research, and ultimately overcome parasitic infections.
Dr Chauhan said: “Discovering that these worms have predominantly oily, or lipid-based, surface is a significant step in understanding their biology. These lipid surfaces help maintain hydration and provide a barrier against bacteria, which are essential for their survival. What is also very interesting is that these lipids also appear to serve as chemical cues that influence interspecies interactions, such as predation. For example, the predatory behaviour of Pristionchus pacificus is guided by physical contact with the surface lipids of its prey, Caenorhabditis elegans, and alterations in these lipids can increase the susceptibility of the prey to predation. Gaining this level of understanding of the surface chemistries of these worms and how they influence interaction and survival opens up new areas of scientific discovery and could ultimately help in developing strategies to fight parasitic worms and the diseases that they cause.”
To learn more about this compelling research, please visit the publisher's website.
Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies, School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham, NG7 2RD
telephone: +44 (0) 115 846 6246 email: BiomaterialsDiscovery@nottingham.ac.uk