News and Notes Archive
Continued from News and Notes on the front page
March 5, 2010
New chapter on evolution available
'Molecular evolution inferences from the C. elegans genome'
by Asher Cutter has been added to the Evolution and ecology section. This
chapter discusses mutation, recombination, natural selection, genetic
drift and population dynamics in C. elegans.
February 8, 2010
New chapter added to WormMethods
'Transgenic solutions for the germline' by Cristopher Merritt and
Geraldine Seydoux has been added to the Transformation and
microinjection section of WormMethods. This chapter gives advice and
protocols for designing and transforming germline-expressing transgenes.
December 15, 2009
The Worm Breeder's Gazette, Volume 18, number 1 now available
The first issue of The Worm Breeder's Gazette in its new on-line format is now available at
http://www.wormbook.org/wbg/. This issue includes over 30
contributions including an editorial by Marty Chalfie, information on a common background mutation,
new ways to visualize molecules, and several new techniques.
October 19, 2009
RETURN OF THE WORM BREEDER'S GAZETTE
WormBook is reviving the Worm Breeder's Gazette in electronic form.
The Worm Breeder's Gazette is an informal, non-refereed publication
for facilitating the exchange of information among nematode
researchers. We are currently soliciting contributions (due Nov. 15)
for our first issue, to be published Dec. 15, 2009. For further information
and author instructions, please see http://www.wormbook.org/wbg.html.
September 8, 2009
SYSTEM OUTAGE SEP. 9, 1-5PM EDT
*** Due to server maintenance, WormBook pages may be unavailable on Wednesday September 9th, 1-5pm EDT. ***
August 24, 2009
New chapter added to Cell biology
'Autophagy' by Alicia Meléndez and Beth Levine is now available in the Cell biology section. This chapter details the evolutionarily conserved features of autophagy in C. elegans, describes tools to study this process, and discusses the role of autophagy in several aspects of C. elegans biology.
April 30, 2009
WormBook receives support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences by supporting research and other scientific and educational activities, has made a substantial contribution to WormBook over the next two years. We thank them for their generous support of online open-access publication.
April 30, 2009
WormBook receives support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences by supporting research and other scientific and educational activities, has made a substantial contribution to WormBook over the next two years. We thank them for their generous support of online open-access publication.
February 20, 2009
New chapter added to Biochemistry
'Intermediary metabolism' by Bart Braeckman, Koen Houthoofd and Jacques Vanfleteren has been added to the Biochemistry section. This chapter describes the major metabolic pathways in C. elegans, and discusses how metabolic activity changes in response to development, aging and environmental stress.
October 8, 2008
Martin Chalfie wins Nobel Prize for GFP in C. elegans.
WormBook Editor-in-Chief Martin
Chalfie (with Osamu Shimomura and Roger Y. Tsien) has won the
2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for
introducing GFP as a biological marker. This is the third Nobel
Prize awarded for research on C. elegans in the last six years. Congratulations Marty!
September 25, 2008
SNP methods chapter updated
SNPs: introduction and 2-point mapping by David Fay and Aaron Bender has been updated in the Forward genetics and genetic mapping section of WormMethods. This updated chapter includes expanded instruction on the use of SNP databases and additional graphics related to SNP mapping.
September 25, 2008
New chapter added to Neurobiology and Behavior
Neuropeptides has been added to the Neurotransmitters section of Neurobiology and behavior. This chapter provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of neuropeptide biology in C. elegans as well as extensive tables detailing peptide sequences, expression patterns and functions.
September 9, 2008
New chapter added to The germ line section
We are pleased to announce that Germline survival and apoptosis has been added to The germ line section. WormBook readers are welcome to read the new chapter and post feedbacks at the WormBook forum.
May 13, 2008
Discussion forum expanded
Links to the WormBook discussion forum now appear on each chapter page. Clicking 'View/Add Comments' will take you to a new chapter level folder in the discussion board. If you would like to be notified when new comments are posted to a particular chapter, please login and then use the ‘NOTIFY’ button on the chapter level. Please register or log in and let us know what you think.
May 13, 2008
Figures resized in HTML chapters
WormBook chapters are now easier to read online because all figures have been resized for clarity. Figures can also be further expanded with a simple mouse click.
Jan 25, 2008
Post-embryonic development section expanded
The measurement and analysis of age-related changes in Caenorhabditis elegans is now available in the Post-embryonic development section of WormBook. Please visit this chapter to read about aging in C. elegans.
Jan 24, 2008
WormBook chapters indexed in PubMed
We are pleased to announce that most WormBook chapters are now indexed in PubMed. Abstracts are linked directly to the full text at WormBook.
Nov 02, 2007
New chapter added to the Disease models and drug discovery section
Anthelmintic drugs has just been published in the Disease models and drug discovery section of WormBook. This chapter summarizes the modes of action of the main classes of anthelmintic drugs, their utility in studying cell signaling in C. elegans, and the use of C. elegans in drug discovery programs.
Aug 09, 2007
New chapter added to the Post-embryonic development section
Dauer has just been published in the Post-embryonic development section of WormBook. Please visit this section to read about the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms regulating dauer arrest.
Aug 06, 2007
WormBook staff change
Tristan Fiedler, who led the software development group at WormBook, has left WormBook. He has taken a faculty position at the Florida Institute of Technology. Tristan guided the development of every aspect of the web site. He developed the methods to convert manuscripts to web-ready articles; he designed the initial layout of the web site; and he generated the programs to search WormBook, download reference citations, and provide feedback. His input on all aspects of WormBook will be missed.
Daniel Wang has expanded his involvement with WormBook and will serve as Production Manager, overseeing production and the web site.
Jul 30, 2007
WormBook staff changes
WormBook Editor Lisa Girard has moved to a position at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Lisa guided WormBook from its beginning, and her creativity, dedication, and efficiency were essential for its success. Lisa was involved in all aspects of WormBook production: she prodded authors, reviewers, and editorial board members to keep WormBook on schedule, edited and oversaw the publication of 140 chapters on the web, and successfully negotiated WormBook's inclusion on the NIH Bookshelf and in PubMed. Lisa leaves WormBook in excellent shape. We wish her continued success in her new position.
We are fortunate that Jane Mendel has joined us as the new WormBook Editor. Jane, a WormBook author, is a Senior Research Associate and Lecturer at Caltech, and has a strong background in C. elegans research as well as experience in teaching Introductory Biology and in using C. elegans as a teaching tool.
May 24, 2007
New parasitic nematode chapter added
Strongyloides spp. has just been published in the Genetics and genomics section of WormBook, further expanding our coverage of parasitic nematodes.
May 7, 2007
Disease models and drug discovery section expanded
C. elegans and volatile anesthetics is now available in the Disease models and drug discovery section of WormBook. This addition contributes to our coverage of this quickly growing area.
May 4, 2007
New chapters added to Molecular biology and Genetics and genomics section
Roles of chromatin factors in C. elegans development has just been added to the Molecular biology section of WormBook and Genomics and biology of the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae has just been added to the Genetics and genomics section. Please visit these sections to read the latest additions to WormBook.
Apr 27, 2007
Introducing Caenorhabditis brenneri
The previously undescribed C. sp. 4 (also known as 'CB5161' or 'PB2801') is now Caenorhabditis brenneri, named after Sydney Brenner (Sudhaus and Kiontke, 2007).
Mar 29, 2007
New chapter added to Developmental control section
The C. elegans intestine has just been published in the Developmental control section of WormBook. Please visit this section for coverage of early developmental events.
Mar 29, 2007
Disease models and drug discovery section launched
WormBook is pleased to launch its new Disease models and drug discovery section with the publication of Obesity and the regulation of fat metabolism. Please watch for the publication of more chapters in this section describing progress in our understanding of disease and therapeutics.
Mar 22, 2007
Cell biology section expanded
The cuticle has just been published in the Cell biology section of WormBook. Readers are encouraged to visit the Cell biology section to read this chapter and related chapters exploring the cell biology of C. elegans.
Mar 5, 2007
WormBook Survey
Please take a few minutes to complete the WormBook Survey. Your response will help us improve the nature and quality of the service we provide our readers.
Feb 24, 2007
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora chapter added to Genetics and Genomics section
WormBook has further expanded its coverage of parasitic nematodes with the addition of The biology and genome of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Please visit the Genetics and genomics section of WormBook to read this and other chapters describing the biology and genomes of nematodes other than C. elegans.
Feb 21, 2007
New Chapters in WormMethods and Neurobiology and Behavior
Wormbook readers are invited to read two new chapters, Biogenic amine neurotransmitters in C. elegans in the Neurobiology and behavior section and Strongyloides stercoralis: a model for translational research on parasitic nematode biology in WormMethods.
Feb 17, 2007
16th International C. elegans Meeting-Abstract Submission Site Now Open
16th International C. elegans Meeting will be held June 27- July 1, 2007 at the University of California, Los Angeles. Meeting information can be found at http://genetics.faseb.org/genetics/Celegans/. The abstract submission site is now open. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 22. The deadline for registration is May 25.
Feb 16, 2007
Ronald Plasterk Joins Dutch Government
Effective February 22nd 2007, longtime C. elegans researcher Ronald Plasterk will join the Government of the Netherlands, serving as Minister of Education, Science and Culture.
Feb 6, 2007
GSA Meeting Announcement
The Genetics Society of America's upcoming Genetic Analysis: Model Organisms to Human Biology Meeting will be held January 5-8, 2008 in San Diego, CA at the Town and Country Hotel.
Jan 30, 2007
New Chapter Added to Neurobiology and Behavior Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our newly added chapter Acetylcholine in WormBook's Neurobiology and behavior section.
Jan 26, 2007
News & Notes now via RSS
WormBook now provides an rss feed for worm researchers to remain up-to-date with the rapid addition of new chapters.
EndNote v.8 import instructions available
A set of instructions for importing the entire WormBook reference set into Endnote v.8 has been added to the WormBook website.
Jan 23, 2007
Pharynx Organogenesis Chapter Added to Developmental Control Section
The C. elegans pharynx: a model for organogenesis has been added to the Developmental control section of WormBook. Readers are encouraged to visit this section to read this chapter and others pertaining to early developmental events.
Jan 5, 2007
New Chapter Added to Post-embryonic Development Section
The Post-embryonic development section of WormBook has been launched with the publication of Gene expression changes associated with aging in C. elegans. Additional chapters related to the topics of aging and development will be upcoming.
Dec 31, 2006
Year-end Addition to WormMethods Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our last new chapter before 2007 Caenorhabditis briggsae methods in WormBook's WormMethods section. Happy New Year, WormBook readers!
Dec 22, 2006
New Chapter Added to Biochemistry Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our newly added chapter Carbohydrates and glycosylation in WormBook's expanded section - Biochemistry.
Nov 29, 2006
New Chapter Added to Cell Biology Section
Wormbook readers are invited to read our newly added chapter The sensory cilia of Caenorhabditis elegans in WormBook Cell biology section.
Nov 27, 2006
New Chapter Added to Genetics and Genomics Section
Biology and genome of Trichinella spiralis has been added to the Genetics and genomic
s section of WormBook, further expanding our content covering nematodes other than C. elegans.
Nov 22, 2006
nGASP update
Expanded training data including repeat sequences, alignment orientation, and updated protein alignment files have been posted on the nGASP websit
e. The deadline for Phase I has been extended to Dec. 31, 2006.
Nov 6, 2006
New Chapter Added to Signal Transduction Section
Wormbook readers are now invited to read the most recent addition to the Signal transduction section, Heterotrimeric G prote
ins in C. elegans.
Oct 30, 2006
New Chapter Added to Neurobiology and Behavior Section
Chemosensation in C. elegans is now available to readers in the Neurobiology and behavior
section of WormBook.
Oct 20, 2006
nGASP: nematode Genome Annotation Assessment Project
nGASP will be evaluating gene prediction software on the C. elegans genome. Please see the nGASP project page for details.
Oct 10, 2006
2007 C. elegans Meeting
The 16th International C. elegans Meeting sponsored by the Genetics Society of America will be held June 27 - July 1, 2007 at UCLA.
Neurophysiological WormMethods Chapters Added
WormBook readers are invited to view the latest WormMethods chapters, Culture of embryonic C. elegans cells for electrophysiological and pharmacological
analyses & Electrophysiological recordings from the neuromuscular junction of C. elegans
Oct 2, 2006
Fire and Mello awarded Nobel Prize for RNAi!
Congratulations to C. elegans researchers Andrew Fire and Craig Mello, the 2006 Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of RNA interference.
(more...)
Sep 7, 2006
Three New WormBook Chapters
Recent additions to WormBook include
C. elegans network biology: a beginning,
Oscheius tipulae, and
Transcription mechanisms.
For a monthly email containing information about new additions to WormBook, please sign up at www.wormbook.org/announce.html.
Aug 31, 2006
Recent Additions to WormBook
WormBook has recently added "Heterologous expression of C. elegans ion channels in Xenopus oocytes" to the Neurophysiological methods section of WormMethods. Additionally, two new Pris
tionchus pacificus chapters have been published: "Pristionchus pacificus genomics: from genetics to genome sequence" in WormMethods and "Pristionchus pacificus" in the Genetics and ge
nomics section of WormBook, launching our new subsection "Biology and genome of nematodes other than C. elegans".
July 31, 2006
New WormBook Chapters and WormMethods Sections
There were several new additions to WormBook's WormMethods section in July including "Behavior", "Immunohistochemistry", "Protocols for large scale in situ hybridization on C. elegans larvae", and a new methods section containing methods and protocols for nematode species other than C. elegans. This section currently has two chapters, "Pristionchus pacificus genetic protocols" and "Isolation of C. elegans and related nematodes", with more to be added soon. The Neurobiology and behavior section of WormBook has also expanded this month with the publication of "Male mating behavior".
All WormBook content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.