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C. elegans Synchronizer
Healthy, Synchronized, Phenotype free worms
The C. elegans Synchronizer is a manual worm Synchronizer that allows you to achieve near absolute synchronization in your L1 harvest with no bleach or chemicals, and with little or no training required. You get healthy worms while increasing the reproducibility of your data.
With the C. elegans Synchronizer, you can:
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- model 700 - |
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Key advantages:
- Healthy worms (Fig. B), larger L1 yield, highly reproducible data (Fig. A)
- Phenotype free worms synchronized without bleach, chemicals and starvation
- Improved level of synchronization with little variation (Fig. C)
- Achieve consistent results with little or no training required.
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Below results for the CES (v2) protocol versus sedimentation and bleaching protocols are from Nagi Bioscience located at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). Nagi Bioscience is working on the first Organism-on-Chip technology using C. elegans, creating a technological platform that is fully automated in vitro handling, culture and analysis. If you are interested in the development by Nagi Bioscience of the the first Organism-on-Chip technology using C. elegans, you can reach them by sending an email at
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Figure A. Results showing the reproducibility of the CES to generate synchronous L1 population across 34 replicates. L1 worms were injected and cultivated on chips during 5 days. Each channel (represented on the x-axis) corresponds to 3 to 8 microfluidic chambers containing 1 to 4 worms. Each dots represented on the graphic correspond to the timing (in hours) when the first egg is observed in average in the corresponding channel. The error bars represent the standard deviation. |
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Figure B. Comparison of the percentage of fertile worms between three methods of L1 synchronization. Each bar represented on the graphic correspond to the percentage of chambers (on average) with fertile adult worms. n corresponds to the number of chambers analyzed. The error bars represent the 95% CI. |
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Figure C. Variation of the timing to reach the adult stage across single individuals. Each dot represented on the graphic correspond to the variation of the timing for single worms to reach the adult stage, compared to the whole population analyzed. n corresponds to the number of single worms analyzed. sd corresponds to the value of the standard deviation. All 'CES' worms reach adulthood virtually at the same time, demonstrating the superior level of synchronization of the CES versus the Sedimentation and Bleaching protocol. |
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FAQ
+ How does it work?
Let’s start with what it is NOT. The CES is NOT a sieve trying to separate L1’s from L2, L3 etc. The CES is a system that with a two-step protocol will harvest L1’s at the moment they hatch from the egg’s. The main two (2) steps in the protocol are :
Step 1 Wash: Washing out all the debris and anything smaller than Adults, L1's, L2 up to L4 are removed, only adults and most eggs are kept.
Step 2 Harvest: Adults and eggs are transferred from the Stabilizing filter to the Harvest filter. As soon as the eggs hatch, the L1's will transfer through the filter with little or no delay.
More details can be found at: Newsletter How does it work.
- check the Protocol Demo in below Video section -
+ Does the system works with small amount of worms as well?
Yes, you can use small volumes of a worms. Recommended is a minimum of 10 gravid adults and already laid eggs. For up to ~1k of L1's to be harvested, the CES-700 is typically recommended. For larger volumes of L1's the CES-5000 is more suitable. Please contact us for advice.
+ Can I synchronize multiple strains?
Yes as each strain is setup for 'Harvesting' (synchronized) in approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Please keep in mind that each strain will have to remain in the 'Harvest Filter' for a period of time (i.e. 'Harvest Time'). In order to synchronize multiple strains and not having to wait for the Harvest Filter to become available again, it is advised to purchase for each additional strain an extra 'Harvest Filter'. This will allow extended harvest time for each strain. In a typical setup, where one person is working with the Synchronizer System, one (1) stabilizing filter should suffice. The Stabilizing Filter is used in the first step of the protocol and becomes available as soon as its content is transferred to the Harvest Filter. Depending on the exclusion of cross-contamination, the Stabilizer Filter may need to be cleaned / rinsed before processing the next strain (takes about 5 minutes, see also How to clean the filters below'.
+ How are the filters cleaned?
Preferred method is to use 0.5M NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) and a small ultrasonic cleaner. The ultrasonic cleaner will ensure the filters are truly clean, while speeding up the process of cleaning. This will typically also take care of scaling. Do NOT use an acid to descale the filters. Using an acid will cause coloring/stains of the filters and if done repeatedly it will ultimately damage the filters.
+ How are the filters sterilized?
Preferred method is to use 70% isopropyl alcohol, either use a spray or submerge the filters completely and afterwards let the filters dry in a laminar flow hood or rinse it afterwards with (sterile demi water) to get rid of any isopropyl alcohol left.
+ Why are the CES filters special?
Nearly four years were spent on the journey to achieve perfect functionality. Unlike traditional filters, the CES filters do not have 'round' or 'semi-round' pores/apertures however feature a special elongated design (slit) in order to prevent the filters from clogging while allowing L1’s to pass through with ease. In order to get the unique level of synchronization the CES provides, every single aperture in the filter needs to be ‘zero defect’.
There are currently NO commercial membranes available that meets the required specifications and therefor a different technology was needed. More information can be found on the following page: Why the CES filters are Special
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Technical Data
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Features
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Details
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Compatibility
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C. elegans (incl P. pacificus)
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Capability (input)
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Amount of worms that can be run through the system:
The CES-5000 System can handle from just a small number ~10 up to ~10k-20k Gravid Nematodes The CES-5000 has been successfully tested with up to 40k gravid adult nematodes.
The smaller CES-700 can handle from just a small number ~10 up to ~1k-2k Gravid Nematodes.
Liquid culture: typical 250mL S-medium culture with a fully grown F3 generation for the CES-5000. Typical 20mL - 30mL for the CES-700.
Solid culture: CES-5000 up to ~50 x 90mm NGM plates, fully grown. CES-700 typical is one up to ~7 x 90mm NGM plates
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Capability (output)
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The amount of L1's harvested will depend on the number of gravid adult worms and egg's to start with and the condition of the nematodes. The length (time) of the Harvest window will decide on the number of L1's to be harvested. Add Serotonin at the Harvest stage to boost the egg laying, the output will be in the range of 10-15 L1's per Gravid Adult and given sufficient Harvest time even more. If very large numbers are required several Harvest filters can be used in parallel. See also CES protocol and 'How does it work' article in the documents section.
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Cleaning & Sterilization
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Preferred method is to use 0.5M NaOH and a small (2 liter) 40khz ultrasonic cleaner. The ultra sonic cleaner will speed up the process of cleaning and also take care of any scaling. It is not recommended to descale the filters using an acid solution as this will cause coloring/stains on the filter and repeated use may ultimately damage the filters.
Filters can be sterilized using a 70% alcohol solution.
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Time to synchronize a single strain
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Synchronization of one strain typically takes between 10 and 15 minutes. This is the time spent to pre-wash / stabilize the input. Harvest time may be between a few minutes up to an 'over-night', however requires no user attention.
The protocol uses one Stabilizing filter and one Harvesting filter. All filters can be used indefinitely (cleaned after your experiment). The Harvest Filter will be occupied for the duration of the harvest time. Therefor if multiple strains are to be synchronized concurrently, multiple Harvest Filters will be needed. In principle one (1) Stabilization filter will suffice, however in most cases needs to be cleaned between different strains if cross-contamination is to be avoided.
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Video
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The video below shows the steps (protocol) for the CES (v2) synchronisation of C. elegans |
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CES-5000 Video protocol demonstration - streaming from our own server (720 x 400px - 500 KBit/s) |
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CES-5000 Video protocol demonstration - YouTube |
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CES-700 Video protocol demonstration - streaming from our own server (720 x 400px - 500 KBit/s) |
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CES-700 Video protocol demonstration - YouTube |
Comparison 700 / 5000
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Model 700 |
Model 5000 |
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| Input capacity: |
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| minimum: |
~ 10 gravid nematodes |
~ 10 gravid nematodes |
| maximum: |
1k ~ 2k gravid nematodes |
10k ~ 20k gravid nematodes |
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| Output capacity: |
5 ~ 15 L1's
per gravid nematode |
5 ~ 15 L1's
per gravid nematode |
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| Filter surface area: |
700 mm2 |
5000 mm2 |
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| Filter diameter: |
30 mm |
80 mm |
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| Filter mesh material: |
Special Nickle alloy |
Special Nickle alloy |
| Filter tube material |
Borosilicate glass |
Borosilicate glass |
| Filter mesh clamp |
PA12 - Nylon |
PA12 - Nylon |
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| Content: |
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| Stabilizing filter: |
1 |
1 |
| Harvest filter: |
1 |
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| Washing Funnel + accs.: |
not available. |
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| Crystalizing dish: |
2*40mm + 2*50mm |
2*90mm |
Summary:
CES-700: if you need between ~10 and less than 1k ~ 2k L1's with a short Harvest window or up to 5k~10k L1's with a larger Harvest window, the CES-700 will do the job. (this assumes ~1k gravid adults to be available to start with, (less is always possible)
CES-5000: if you need more than ~10k L1's with a short Harvest window or up to and excess of 100k or more per Harvest filter (multiple Harvest filters in parallel are always possible) then the CES-5000 is the preferred system.
Please note that the length of the 'Harvest Window' has a huge impact on the number of L1's harvested. The 'Gravid : L1' ratio is approximately 3-5 L1's per hour per available gravid nematode, after a 'lag' time of 7-8 hours (the time the egg's need to develop and hatch), assuming there are 'no' egg's to start with. Adding Serotonin at the Harvest step will give an initial 'burst' of 10-15 egg's per gravid nematode that can be harvested approximately 7-8 hours later. Adding Serotonin is a known method of stimulating the egg production and is used to get to the 'magic' 1 million+ number of perfect synchronized L1's. (See remarks CES protocol)
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Customers:
Ordering Information:
| SKU |
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Description |
Price USD |
Price EURO |
| CES-5000 |
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CES-5000 C. elegans Synchronizer System (5000mm2 surface) |
$4,672.= |
€4,450.= |
| FSCE-5000 |
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Additional CES-5000 Stabilizing Filter |
$2,156.= |
€2,054.= |
| FHCE-5000 |
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Additional CES-5000 Harvest Filter |
$2,156.= |
€2,054.= |
| CESFH-01 |
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CES-5000 Funnel + Holder + Tube |
$462.= |
€440.= |
| CESF-SP-01 |
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CES-5000 Funnel (Spare Part) |
$357.= |
€340.= |
| CESFH-SP-01 |
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CES-5000 Funnel Holder (Spare Part) |
$176.= |
€168.= |
| CESHR-SP-01 |
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CES-5000 Funnel Holder Seperator Ring (Spare Part) |
$71.= |
€68.= |
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| CES-700 |
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CES-700 C. elegans Synchronizer Kit (700mm2 surface) |
$2318.=
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€2208.= |
| FSCE-700 |
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Additional CES-700 Stabilizing Filter |
$1039.=
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€990.= |
| FHCE-700 |
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Additional CES-700 Harvest Filter |
$1039.= |
€990.= |
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Remark:
- Educational Institutions may apply for a special discount.
- A rebate may be available when ordering additional filters in combination with the CES system or when ordering multiple filters.
Request more info or ask for a Quote
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