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The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, may seem an unlikely choice for studying a condition as complex as Down syndrome. However, this tiny model has been studied extensively and exhibits a high degree of genetic orthology to humans and phenotypic conservation at the cellular and molecular levels – and even in some cases at the behavioral level. Its strengths include the ease of genetic engineering and availability of mutant strains, its transparency, fully-mapped nervous system, and the multitude of resources and experimental approaches available to C. elegans researchers. Here, we elaborate on strengths that researchers have leveraged to make discoveries in relation to Down syndrome. We also point out certain features of C. elegans that may represent limitations as well as ways to surmount some when modeling Down syndrome.

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Simple Worm, Complex Disorder: Studying Down Syndrome Mechanisms in the Unassuming Model C. elegans

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Sophia M. Sanchez,
  • Jonathan T. Pierce

摘要

The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, may seem an unlikely choice for studying a condition as complex as Down syndrome. However, this tiny model has been studied extensively and exhibits a high degree of genetic orthology to humans and phenotypic conservation at the cellular and molecular levels – and even in some cases at the behavioral level. Its strengths include the ease of genetic engineering and availability of mutant strains, its transparency, fully-mapped nervous system, and the multitude of resources and experimental approaches available to C. elegans researchers. Here, we elaborate on strengths that researchers have leveraged to make discoveries in relation to Down syndrome. We also point out certain features of C. elegans that may represent limitations as well as ways to surmount some when modeling Down syndrome.