Measuring the effects of high CO₂ levels in Caenorhabditis elegans

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an important molecule in cell metabolism. It is also a byproduct of many physiological processes. In humans, impaired lung function and lung diseases disrupt the body's ability to dispose of CO₂ and elevate its levels in the body (hypercapnia). Animal models allow further understanding of how CO₂ is sensed in the body and what are the physiological responses to high CO₂ levels. This information can provide new strategies in the battle against the detrimental effects of CO₂ accumulation in lung diseases. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans provides us with such a model animal due to its natural ability to sense and navigate through varying concentrations of CO₂, as well as the fact that it can be genetically manipulated with ease. Here we describe the different methods used to measure the effects elevated levels of CO₂ have on the molecular sensing mechanism and physiology of C. elegans.