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The NemaGENETAG initiative: large scale transposon insertion gene-tagging in Caenorhabditis elegans

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Abstract

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a widely appreciated, powerful platform in which to study important biological mechanisms related to human health. More than 65% of human disease genes have homologues in the C. elegans genome, and essential aspects of mammalian cell biology, neurobiology and development are faithfully recapitulated in this organism. The EU-funded NemaGENETAG project was initiated with the aim to develop cutting-edge tools and resources that will facilitate modelling of human pathologies in C. elegans, and advance our understanding of animal development and physiology. The main objective of the project involves the generation and evaluation of a large collection of transposon-tagged mutants. In the process of achieving this objective the NemaGENETAG consortium also endeavours to optimize and automate existing transposon-mediated mutagenesis methodologies based on the Mos1 transposable element, in addition to developing alternatives using other transposon systems. The final product of this initiative—a comprehensive collection of transposon-tagged alleles—together with the acquisition of efficient transposon-based tools for mutagenesis and transgenesis in C. elegans, should yield a wealth of information on gene function, immediately relevant to key biological processes and to pharmaceutical research and development.

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Abbreviations

DNA:

Desoxyribonucleic acid

DSB:

Double strand break

MosTIC:

Mos1 transgene induced conversion

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

CGC:

Caenorhabditis genetics center

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Acknowledgments

The successful completion of the NemaGENETAG project was made possible through the dedicated and intense efforts of all partners involved. The laboratories of Jean-Louis Bessereau (INSERM, France), Jonathan Ewbank (CNRS, France), Johan Geysen (MAIA Scientific, Belgium), Patricia Kuwabara (University of Bristol, United Kingdom), Laurent Segalat (UCBL, France) and Nektarios Tavernarakis (IMBB-FORTH, Greece) worked closely together towards the objectives of the project. The NemaGENETAG consortium was funded by the EU 6th Framework Programme.

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  1. Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, N. Plastira 100, Vassilika Vouton, P.O. Box 1385, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Daphne Bazopoulou & Nektarios Tavernarakis

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  1. Daphne Bazopoulou
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  2. Nektarios Tavernarakis
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Correspondence to Nektarios Tavernarakis.

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Bazopoulou, D., Tavernarakis, N. The NemaGENETAG initiative: large scale transposon insertion gene-tagging in Caenorhabditis elegans . Genetica 137, 39–46 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-009-9361-3

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