We report a nematode electrotactic-response valve (NERV) to control the locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in microfluidic devices. This nonmechanical, unidirectional valve is based on creating a confined region of lateral electric field that is switchable and reversible. We observed that C. elegans do not prefer to pass through this region if the field lines are incident to its forward movement. Upon reaching the boundary of the NERV, the incident worms partially penetrate the fi...

Animal Behavior  Zoology  Mathematical Biology  Veterinary Medicine  Cell Biology  Parasitology  Developmental Biology  Evolutionary Studies  Bioengineering  Bioinformatics  Environmental Sciences  Biophysics 

Doi:10.1063/1.3570629

In this paper, we present a movement-based assay to observe adaptability in Caenorhabditis elegans locomotion behavior. The assay comprises a series of sinusoidal microchannels with a fixed wavelength and modulating (increasing or decreasing) amplitude. The channel width is comparable to the body diameter of the organism. Worms are allowed to enter the channel from the input port and migrate toward the output port. Within channel sections that closely match the worm's natural undulations, the wo...

Animal Behavior  Agricultural Science  Veterinary Medicine  Parasitology  Plant Science  Soil Science  Biodiversity  Bioengineering 

Doi:10.1063/1.3604391