Abstract: The invention relates to screening methods using nematode worms, particularly but not exclusively C. elegans, which are adapted to be performed in a high-throughput format.

Abstract: There is provided a method of identifying DNA responsible for conferring a particular phenotype in a cell which method comprises a) constructing a cDNA or genomic library of the DNA of said cell in a suitable vector in an orientation relative to a promoter(s) capable of initiating transcription of said cDNA or DNA to double stranded (ds) RNA upon binding of an appropriate transcription factor to said promoter(s), b) introducing said library into one or more of said cells comprising said transcription factor, and c) identifying and isolating a particular phenotype of said cell comprising said library and identifying the DNA or cDNA fragment from said library responsible for conferring said phenotype.

Abstract: The invention relates to screening methods using nematode worms, particularly but not exclusively C. elegans, which are adapted to be performed in a high-throughput format.

Abstract: There is provided a method of identifying DNA responsible for conferring a particular phenotype in a cell which method comprises a) constructing a cDNA or genomic library of the DNA of said cell in a suitable vector in an orientation relative to a promoter(s) capable of initiating transcription of said cDNA or DNA to double stranded (ds) RNA upon binding of an appropriate transcription factor to said promoter(s), b) introducing said library into one or more of said cells comprising said transcription factor, and c) identifying and isolating a particular phenotype of said cell comprising said library and identifying the DNA or cDNA fragment from said library responsible for conferring said phenotype.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of microscopic nematodes such as C. elegans in functional high throughput in vivo assays suitable for the detection of inhibitors or activators of intestinal lipid uptake.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening compounds for potential pharmacological activity using nematode worms, principally but not exclusively the nematode C. elegans. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of nematodes modified to have certain characteristics which provide advantages for compound screening, such as constitutive pharyngeal pumping, increased gut permeability or altered gut molecular transport. Methods for selecting suitably modified nematodes from a population of nematodes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening compounds for potential pharmacological activity using nematode worms, principally but not exclusively the nematode C. elegans. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of nematodes modified to have certain characteristics which provide advantages for compound screening, such as constitutive pharyngeal pumping, increased gut permeability or altered gut molecular transport. Methods for selecting suitably modified nematodes from a population of nematodes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening for compounds which affect the activity of a physiologically important calcium pump, the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), using the nematode worm C. elegans.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening for compounds which affect the activity of a physiologically important calcium pump, the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), using the nematode worm C. elegans.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signal transduction pathway which promotes phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and in particular relates to a protein known as CED-6 in the nematode worm C. elegans, human equivalents of CED-6 protein and nucleic acids encoding them. The invention also relates to use of the proteins and encoding nucleic acids in assay methods for detecting compounds which enhance or inhibit the signal transduction pathway and use of the proteins, nucleic acids and identified enhancer or inhibitor compounds in methods of treatment of human or animal disease.

Abstract: DNA fragments from the promoter region of the C. elegans UL6 gene which are capable of functioning as promoters directing gene expression in the excretory cell of C. elegans are provided and also expression vectors and transgenic C. elegans containing these fragments. Also provided are screening methods performed in C. elegans for identifying compounds or mutations which have an affect on the morphology of the excretory canal. Compounds identified using these screening methods may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of a range of diseases for which the C. elegans excretory canal serves as a model.