Automated Platforms in C. elegans Research: Integration of Microfluidics, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans is one of the most extensively studied model organisms in biology. Its advantageous features, including genetic homology with humans, conservation of disease pathways, transparency, short lifespan, small size and ease of maintenance have established it as a powerful system for research in aging, genetics, molecular biology, disease modeling and drug discovery. However, traditional methods for worm handling, culturing, scoring and imaging are labor-intensive, low throughput, time consuming, susceptible to operator variability and environmental influences. Addressing these challenges, recent years have seen rapid innovation spanning microfluidics, robotics, imaging platforms and AI-driven analysis in C. elegans-based research. Advances include micromanipulation devices, robotic microinjection systems, automated worm assays and high-throughput screening platforms. In this review, we first summarize foundational developments prior to 2020 that shaped the field, then highlight breakthroughs from the past five years that address key limitations in throughput, reproducibility and scalability. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and future directions for integrating these technologies into next-generation automated C. elegans research.