In this episode, we uncover a revolutionary approach to imaging the hidden mechanical properties of biological surfaces using Label-Free Brillouin Endo-Microscopy. Unlike traditional imaging techniques that rely on fluorescent labels, this method provides quantitative 3D viscoelastic mapping at the sub-micrometre scale—offering unprecedented insights into biological structures.

🔍 Key Topics Covered: • How Brillouin scattering enables real-time mechanical imaging of living tissue • First-ever 3D stiffness mapping of Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle in situ • Potential applications for non-invasive diagnostics and disease research • The future of elasticity-based biomedical imaging

📖 Based on the research article: “Label-Free Brillouin Endo-Microscopy for the Quantitative 3D Imaging of Sub-Micrometre Biology” Salvatore La Cavera III, Veeren M. Chauhan, et al. Published in Communications Biology (2024). 🔗 Read it here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06126-4

Join us as we explore how this breakthrough could transform biomedical imaging, mechanobiology, and in vivo diagnostics!

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This podcast is generated with artificial intelligence and curated by Veeren. If you’d like your publication featured on the show, please get in touch.

📩 More info: 🔗 www.veerenchauhan.com 📧 [email protected]

In this episode, we explore how microgravity affects muscle structure and function, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. Spaceflight-induced muscle atrophy is a major challenge for astronauts, and understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms behind these changes is key to developing countermeasures.

This discussion is based on the review article: “Advancing Insights into Microgravity-Induced Muscle Changes Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model Organism” Beckett LJ, Williams PM, Toh LS, Hessel V, Gerstweiler L, Fisk I, Toronjo-Urquiza L, Chauhan VM. Published in npj Microgravity (2024). 📖 Read the full paper: ⁠https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-024-00418-z⁠

🔬 Learn how C. elegans provides unique insights into metabolic changes, gene expression, and protein regulation during spaceflight, offering potential strategies to counteract muscle degradation.

🌍 Follow for more research-based discussions on nematodes, space biology, and biomedical science.

This podcast is generated with artificial intelligence and curated by Veeren. If you’d like your publication featured on the show, please get in touch.

📩 More info: 🔗 www.veerenchauhan.com 📧 [email protected]

Surface Lipids in Nematodes are Influenced by Development and Species-specific Adaptations

This research utilizes 3D-OrbiSIMS to analyze the surface lipids of nematodes, specifically Caenorhabditis elegans and Pristionchus pacificus, revealing their complex chemical compositions. Surface lipids are found to be developmentally dependent and species-specific, highlighting evolutionary adaptations. The study identifies that the peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway, particularly the enzyme DAF-22, is crucial for defining the surface molecular fingerprint and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, altered surface lipid composition in daf-22 mutants increases their susceptibility to predation, demonstrating the role of surface lipids in interspecies interactions and defense mechanisms. These findings enhance our understanding of nematode surface chemistry and its influence on behavior and survival.2025 AM Kotowska, F Hiramatsu, MR Alexander, DJ Scurr, JW Lightfoot, Veeren M Chauhan* “Surface Lipids in Nematodes are Influenced by Development and Species-specific Adaptations” JACShttps://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.4c12519 This podcast is generated with artificial intelligence and curated by Veeren. If you’d like your publication featured on the show, please get in touch.

📩 More info: 🔗 www.veerenchauhan.com 📧 [email protected]