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The Caernohabditis elegans nematode as an infection model
What was done
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Experimental teaching in the area of Biological Sciences at IST is limited by the availability of equipment that most of the time suffers rapid wear due to the high number of users. This is the case with equipment used to visualize microscopic structures and organisms. In this context, this project aimed to: 1. Introduce a new experimental work in the course Biochemistry and Microbial Physiology, 3rd year of the integrated master in Biological Engineering. The work aims to illustrate the use of the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode as an infection model. The stereomicroscopes will be used to visualize and enumerate living nematodes upon exposure to selected pathogenic bacteria; 2. Reinforcement of the equipment available for the laboratories of other curricular units, namely Microbiology; 3. Reinforcement of the equipment available for activities open to society, namely the “Laboratórios Abertos do DBE”, Verão na ULisboa”, among others. The financial part of the project was completed and the acquired equipment is available. However, the implementation of the project suffered several delays, due to various circumstances as described below
1. Significant delay in transferring funds to the project due to a project classification problem. The purchase order was only issued in October 2019;
2. Supply and installation of the equipment on February 13, 2020, making impossible its use during the “Laboratórios Abertos do DBE” initiative that took place from February 3 to 7, 2020.
3. Closing of laboratory activities in mid-March 2020, due to the COVID19 pandemics. It was not possible to implement the new experimental work planned for the UC Biochemistry and Microbial Physiology, and to use the equipment during the experimental activities of the initiative
The project
Verão na Ulisboa. Other relevant information
The equipment is functional and available, waiting for the resumption of experimental activities for its use and feedback from students.
Jorge Humberto Gomes Leitão (jorgeleitao@tecnico.ulisboa.pt) Department of Bioengineering
UC: Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology and Microbiology
