# Caenorhabditis Genetics Center

> **NIH NIH P40** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2024 · $455,294

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract—Overall
The Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC) is the sole comprehensive repository and distribution center for the
nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a premier model organism for biomedical research studies. The overall
objective of this animal resource is to promote research on C. elegans by acquiring, maintaining, and distributing
genetically characterized nematode stocks. Researchers in all 50 states and throughout the world use genetic
stocks obtained from the CGC in diverse basic and applied research endeavors, as well as for hands-on teaching
of experimental science. Studies using C. elegans have led to fundamental insights into basic biological
mechanisms, including the genetic basis of programmed cell death, the discovery of microRNAs, and the
mechanism of RNA interference in animals. The nematode has also provided key insights into the cell signaling
mechanisms, cancer progression, and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, C. elegans serves as a key
model for illuminating our understanding of parasitic nematodes with relevance to human and livestock health.
As the only general stock center for C. elegans, the CGC is an extremely important international research
resource, supporting research in these diverse areas and in educational endeavors. The CGC provides about
30,000 strains per year to thousands of laboratories; with a collection of 23,000 unique strains, a number still
increasing in proportion to the growth of the field, the CGC not only facilitates research, but also ensures that
valuable strains are preserved. Strains are distributed upon request through an on-line ordering system with a
scheme of user fees in place to help defray costs and support CGC activities. The CGC closely monitors user
needs and devises small research projects to support the community. Because essentially every lab uses
fluorescent proteins, and there is demand for brighter, more photostable fluorescent proteins, in more colors to
allow multi-plexing, the CGC will develop a pipeline to quantitatively evaluate the in vivo properties of a new set
of fluorescent proteins in worm, enabling scientists to choose the optimal versions for their applications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10792474
- **Project number:** 5P40OD010440-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Aric L Daul
- **Activity code:** P40 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $455,294
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-01 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10792474

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10792474, Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (5P40OD010440-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10792474. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*