A PDMS–Agar Hybrid Microfluidic Device for the Investigation of Chemical–Mechanical Associative Learning Behavior of C. elegans

Author:

Zhu Jinchi1ORCID,Wang Yu23,Tang Shuting1,Su Huiying1,Wang Xixian2,Du Wei2,Wang Yun1,Liu Bi-Feng2

Affiliation:

1. School of Bioengineering, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232038, China

2. The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China

3. Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, 118 Jiahang Road, Jiaxing 314001, China

Abstract

Associative learning is a critical survival trait that promotes behavioral plasticity in response to changing environments. Chemosensation and mechanosensation are important sensory modalities that enable animals to gather information about their internal state and external environment. However, there is a limited amount of research on these two modalities. In this paper, a novel PDMS–agar hybrid microfluidic device is proposed for training and analyzing chemical–mechanical associative learning behavior in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The microfluidic device consisted of a bottom agar gel layer and an upper PDMS layer. A chemical concentration gradient was generated on the agar gel layer, and the PDMS layer served to mimic mechanical stimuli. Based on this platform, C. elegans can perform chemical–mechanical associative learning behavior after training. Our findings indicated that the aversive component of training is the primary driver of the observed associative learning behavior. In addition, the results indicated that the neurotransmitter octopamine is involved in regulating this associative learning behavior via the SER-6 receptor. Thus, the microfluidic device provides a highly efficient platform for studying the associative learning behavior of C. elegans, and it may be applied in mutant screening and drug testing.

Funder

the Project of Education Department of Anhui Province

the Project of Huainan Normal University

the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province

Cultivation project of excellent top talents in Colleges and Universities

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Mechanical Engineering,Control and Systems Engineering

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