The Nematode C. Elegans, aka the worm, is a major model organism for biomedical research. Studies in C. Elegans have broadened our understanding on a wide range of issues, such as cancer, metabolism and aging, neural regeneration, drug screen and many others.
The WormGUIDES 360 VR app animates in an immersive environment the dynamics of C. Elegans embryogenesis, during which a single cell, the fertilized egg, splits to generate 558 assorted cells that assemble into a living organism. Nuclei of embryonic cells are rendered within an interactive, time-animated model of the developing embryo. The
outgrowth dynamics of a number of individual neurons is also included.
The app is a prototype exploring the value of immersive interfaces in navigating the complex geometry of in vivo development. User feedback is welcome.
WormGUIDES is a collaboration headed by Drs. Zhirong Bao (MSKCC), Daniel Colón-Ramos (Yale), William Mohler (UConn) and Hari Shroff (NIH).