Investigating the Effect of Age on Pharyngeal Pumping in C. elegans using the ScreenChip System

In C. elegans, a key marker of age-related decline in health is a reduction in the rate of pharyngeal pumping. Until now, it has been necessary to count pumps by eye, which is a laborious and slow process. The NemaMetrix ScreenChip System automates the process of counting pumps by recording their electrical signature, called the electropharyngeogram (EPG). This application note details a study in which this automated method is used and provides troubleshooting information.