# Genetic and genomic tools for C. briggsae research

> **NIH NIH R21** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $242,593

## Abstract

Genetic and Genomic tools for C. briggsae research: Project Summary
Research using the microscopic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has produced many foundational
discoveries in the genetic basis of cell death, organismal aging, the biological roles for microRNAs, as well as
other fundamental topics that are relevant to human health. An important complement to studies on C.
elegans is those on the related nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae, which shares many of the experimental
strengths of C. elegans, but from which it diverged approximately 30 million years ago. C. briggsae provides a
platform for comparative genetic studies, leading to efficient analysis of conserved processes, as well as
discoveries on the evolution of genes, pathways and networks. These comparative studies are important in
establishing research rigor and validating findings. In addition, differences between C. elegans and C.
briggsae in terms of life history traits and global distribution of populations means that many studies addressing
population biology questions, polygenic traits, or host-pathogen, commensal, and opportunistic relationships
with viruses, bacteria, and insects are better done with C. briggsae than with C. elegans. Despite these
important features, many genetic resources that are essential for standard C. elegans research are not
available for studies using C. briggsae. With the increasing efficiency of genetic editing and engineering using
CRISPR-mediated methods, the availability of important genomic and genetic tools is a key limitation for these
important comparative studies.
This project will produce these research resources to address this gap. As a first aim, two telomere-to-
telomere C. briggsae reference genomes with validated gene models will be produced, using sets of
complementary long and short sequence read methods and validation techniques. These data will be
incorporated into NCBI and Wormbase, the online database used by researchers who use C. elegans and
related nematodes. A second aim will produce and validate a set of genetic balancers, or rearranged
chromosomes that prevent meiotic crossing over. These genetic tools are critical for the maintenance and
evaluation of mutations that are homozygous lethal or sterile and that are currently maintained through
laborious processes. Genetic balancers will also permit more complex genetic experiments not currently
feasible in C. briggsae. Finally, strains with "safe harbor" landing sites for the introduction of DNA into defined
locations in the C. briggsae genome will be produced and validated. These strains will permit controlled,
reproducible introduction of single copy insertion clones into C. briggsae, and permit a range of experimental
manipulation including gene "node swaps" between the two species, and the testing of reagents developed for
C. elegans directly in C. briggsae. Together, these aims will produce key tools that remove important barriers
to genetic analysis in this research organ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10371532
- **Project number:** 1R21OD030067-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Erik Christian Andersen
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $242,593
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-03-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10371532

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10371532, Genetic and genomic tools for C. briggsae research (1R21OD030067-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10371532. Licensed CC0.

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