WHAT CAN THE WORMS TELL US?

There are many benefits to be had by studying Caenorhabditis elegans

How ageing works

Since the worms only live between two and three weeks, scientists can easily study their entire life. They show visible signs of ageing, right down to the development of wrinkled skin, slower motility and reduced capacity for learning.

How muscle is lost

The worms are molecularly similar to humans and their muscles work in much the same way. By sending them to the ISS

– and beyond – scientists can study changes to their bodies and identify which molecules are causing problems.

How to cure disease

Scientists studying the genetic and molecular mechanisms of the worms can learn more about various conditions and diseases, including cancer. The transparency of the worms allows researchers to see cell mutations.