The use of experimental models to answer diverse scientific questions is fundamental to scientific research. In a resource-limited research setting such as Nigeria, there is a growing need to build local expertise and capacity in the use of experimental models like C. elegans among researchers. In response to this need, our lab, Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Neurobiology (LETNeu), organized its first three-day fully hands-on workshop “C. elegans as a Model for Neuroscience Research in Resource-Limited Settings,”August 5–8, 2026.” The initiative introduced C. elegans as an accessible and genetically tractable model for neuroscience and biomedical research while contributing to the development of local capacity in C. elegans–based genetics research in Nigeria.

Bringing C. elegans to researchers in Nigeria

With funding from other scientific societies, including the GSA Starter Culture Microgrant, we brought together 26 participants from across different regions of Nigeria, including postgraduate students, early-career researchers, and scientists interested in neuroscience and biomedical research. The workshop began with an enlightening introduction of C. elegans by LETNeu Principal Investigator Omamuyovwi Ijomone and a brief talk from Tobiloba Olajide on the benefit of becoming a member of scientific societies like GSA. 

Before the hand-on practical training, participants also received theoretical knowledge, including eye-opening virtual lectures from our collaborators in Brazil, Felix Soares (Federal University of Santa Maria) and Daiana Silva (Federal University of Pampa).

The practical sessions covered C. elegans husbandry, synchronization, preparation of nematode growth medium, microscopy, behavioral assays, phenotypic assessment, and basic genotyping using conventional PCR as well as an introduction to RNAi procedures. This workshop, the first of its kind, presented an organism that many had previously encountered primarily through the scientific literature and encouraged participants to consider C. elegans as an accessible and powerful model for their own future research. A subsequent session on grantsmanship and research funding was delivered by Omamuyovwi Ijomone, providing participants with valuable insights into developing competitive research proposals and navigating funding opportunities.

The future of C. elegans research in Nigeria: Looking beyond LETNeu

One of the most important lessons from the workshop was that introducing researchers to a model organism requires more than providing theoretical information. Participants need hands-on experience, protocols, mentorship, and continued access to research resources to confidently adopt the model in their own universities. 

For LETNeu, the workshop represents an important first step toward a broader vision of developing C. elegans research capacity beyond a single laboratory and supporting the establishment of additional C. elegans laboratories across different regions of Nigeria. 

Participants feedback

Here’s what some attendees had to say:

“The workshop was an eye opener to the C. elegans world of neuroscience and this has left me with deep interest in this area of research.”

“Well done to the team. It was a productive one.”

About the GSA Starter Culture Microgrants

These microgrants fund small-but-mighty projects that benefit the genetics community and allow GSA to be more responsive to member needs and changing contexts in the field. Learn more at genetics-gsa.org/career-development/microgrants. 

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