How do you make a nanoparticle that tells you where it is and helps at the same time? In this episode, we dive into the chemistry behind polydiacetylene (PDA)—a polymer that changes colour when it senses temperature, pH, or stress.

Researchers combined PDA with biodegradable poly(glycerol adipate) to create self-reporting nanoparticles that:

Change colour from blue to red under stress or heat Track cells and nematodes without any added fluorescent dyes Degrade naturally via enzymatic action Carry drugs like usnic acid for therapeutic delivery

It’s a step toward theranostic polymers—materials that diagnose and treat simultaneously, glowing as they go. Even C. elegans joined the test, confirming safe uptake and real-time visibility.

📖 Based on the research article: “Tailoring the Properties of Polydiacetylene Nanosystems for Enhanced Cell Tracking Through Poly(glycerol Adipate) Blending: an In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation” Benedetta Brugnoli, Eleni Axioti, Philippa L. Jacob, Nana A. Berfi, Lei Lei, Benoit Couturaud, Veeren M. Chauhan, Robert J. Cavanagh, Luciano Galantini, Iolanda Francolini & Vincenzo Taresco Published in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics (2025) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202500259

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more bright ideas in molecular sensing, smart polymers, and organism-level 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]

How can a worm’s intestine influence its descendants’ lifespan? This episode explores how lysosomes send metabolic signals through the epigenome to extend longevity across generations.

Researchers found that activating lysosomal lipid metabolism triggers transcriptional up-regulation of a histone variant, H3.3 (his-71), in the intestine. This histone is transported to the germ line, where it’s methylated at K79 by the methyltransferase DOT-1.3. The result is a heritable epigenetic state that promotes longer life across multiple generations of C. elegans.

The work reveals how metabolic signalling through lysosomes interacts with chromatin to link soma and germ line, showing how environmental changes like starvation can shape longevity inheritance.

📖 Based on: Zhang Q., Dang W., Wang M.C. Science (2025). “Lysosomes signal through the epigenome to regulate longevity across generations.” https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adn8754

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more deep dives into the molecular lives of worms.

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]

Is a wiring diagram enough to understand the brain? In this episode, we dive into how researchers combined whole-brain optogenetic stimulation with calcium imaging in C. elegans to reveal functional neural connections that go beyond the traditional connectome.

Key insights include:

A new functional atlas built from ~23,000 neuron pair experiments How neuropeptides and extrasynaptic signals contribute to brain activity Strong functional links often exist without anatomical connections A data-driven rethinking of how neural signals propagate and integrate Implications for plasticity, brain evolution, and full-organism modelling

This episode sheds light on how small brains can perform complex processing — by rewiring our assumptions about wiring.

📖 Based on the research article: “Neural signal propagation atlas of Caenorhabditis elegans” Francesco Randi, Anuj K. Sharma, Sophie Dvali & Andrew M. Leifer Published in Nature (2023) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06683-4

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism insights into behaviour, neuroscience, and beyond.

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]

Worms without eyes shouldn’t see colour — yet C. elegans can. In this episode, we dive into a landmark study that shows how worms use blue-to-amber light ratios to make foraging decisions. When exposed to toxic blue pigments like pyocyanin, worms avoid them — but only under white light. The twist? They do it all without opsins.

We explore:

How worms detect and avoid blue-pigment-secreting P. aeruginosa Why light potentiates avoidance, but only for certain spectral ratios How lite-1 and GUR-3 receptors mediate spectral sensitivity Natural variation in colour preference across wild strains The discovery that stress-related genes jkk-1 and lec-3 underlie colour-guided behaviour

This episode uncovers a new form of opsin-free colour vision, expanding our understanding of how simple organisms read complex environments.

📖 Based on the research article: “C. elegans discriminates colors to guide foraging” Dipon Ghosh, Dongyeop Lee, Xin Jin, H. Robert Horvitz & Michael N. Nitabach Published in Science (2021) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abd3010

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism surprises in perception, evolution, and behaviour.

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]

How does a worm know what’s good for dinner? In this episode, we uncover how C. elegans can distinguish between helpful and harmful microbes — and it’s all down to polyamines. These microbe-produced metabolites act like scent beacons, guiding worms to nutritious bacteria like E. coli while steering them away from pathogens.

We explore:

How chemosensory neurons detect polyamines like cadaverine and putrescine Why ADF and AWC neurons are tuned to sniff out E. coli-enriched scents How the AIB interneuron acts as a decision hub for foraging Why worms lose interest in mutant E. coli strains lacking polyamines What this tells us about host-microbe interactions and innate sensory coding

📖 Based on the research article: “Chemosensory detection of polyamine metabolites guides C. elegans to nutritive microbes” Benjamin Brissette, Lia Ficaro, Chenguang Li, et al. Published in Science Advances (2024) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adj4387

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism discoveries in behaviour, sensory biology, and microbe-host interactions.

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]

Why do C. elegans lay eggs only when food is around? In this episode, we explore a newly uncovered neuromodulatory circuit that links food detection to reproductive behaviour using a clever form of disinhibition. At the heart of this is the AVK interneuron — silenced by dopamine when food is present — which normally blocks egg-laying until conditions are right.

We unpack:

How AVK neurons act as gatekeepers for egg-laying behaviour Dopamine from food-sensing neurons inhibits AVKs via DOP-3 receptors AVKs release a cocktail of neuropeptides (PDF-1, NLP-10, NLP-21) that modulate downstream AIY neurons Functional imaging, CRISPR mutants, and optogenetics map the full food-to-egg pathway How this reveals general principles of neuromodulation and disinhibition

📖 Based on the research article: “Food sensing controls C. elegans reproductive behavior by neuromodulatory disinhibition” Yen-Chih Chen, Kara E. Zang, Hassan Ahamed, Niels Ringstad Published in Science Advances (2025) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adu5829

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism insights at the interface of environment, brain, and behaviour.

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 dive into a milestone in C. elegans systems biology — the first application of SILAC-style metabolic proteome labelling in a whole animal. By feeding worms lysine auxotroph E. coli labelled with heavy lysine (Lys8), researchers enabled quantitative proteomics with precision typically reserved for cell culture.

But it gets better — they made it RNAi compatible, allowing side-by-side comparisons of wild-type vs mutant proteomes in the same run.

We discuss:

How worms were labelled with heavy lysine using auxotrophic E. coli How this enabled 94–97% incorporation of label in just one generation The creation of RNAi-ready NJF01 bacteria for knockdown and labelling Case study: NHR-49 loss alters lipid metabolism proteins at scale Why this approach paves the way for whole-organism proteogenomics

📖 Based on the research article: “Quantitative proteomics by amino acid labeling in C. elegans” Fredens, J., Engholm-Keller, K., Giessing, A., Pultz, D., Larsen, M.R., Højrup, P., Møller-Jensen, J., & Færgeman, N.J. Published in Nature Methods (2011) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.1675

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism breakthroughs in metabolism, proteomics, and systems biology!

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 a high-tech twist on developmental toxicology. Researchers have combined microfluidic engineering with machine learning to automate the analysis of thousands of C. elegans for chemical toxicity testing — no anaesthetics or low-res imaging required.

Using the vivoChip device and a custom ML model called vivoBodySeg, the team:

Captures 3D images of ~1000 worms from 24 populations at once Achieves near-human segmentation accuracy (Dice score: 97.8%) Measures subtle toxicity effects like changes in body size and gut autofluorescence Identifies EC10 and LOAEL values with high precision Uses few-shot learning to adapt the model to new worm shapes and sizes

This platform slashes analysis time by 140× and sets a new benchmark for high-throughput New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in toxicology.

📖 Based on the research article: “Machine learning-based analysis of microfluidic device immobilised C. elegans for automated developmental toxicity testing” Andrew DuPlissis, Abhishri Medewar, Evan Hegarty, et al. Published in Scientific Reports (2025) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84842-x

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more stories where whole-organism biology meets cutting-edge tech!

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 climb into the world of nematode architecture — worm towers! Researchers have now captured Caenorhabditis worms forming vertical towers in nature — self-assembled living structures that help worms hitch rides and bridge gaps as a form of collective dispersal.

We explore:

First real-world evidence of towering in C. elegans and other Caenorhabditis species Lab experiments that trigger towering in controlled conditions How worms of all life stages can join towers — not just dauers Towers that grow, bend, and bridge gaps to reach new environments How touch alone can trigger towers to transfer en masse to new habitats

📖 Based on the research article: “Towering behavior and collective dispersal in Caenorhabditis nematodes” Daniela M. Perez, Ryan Greenway, Thomas Stier, Narcís Font-Massot, Assaf Pertzelan, Siyu Serena Ding Published in Current Biology (2025) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.026

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism wonders in behaviour, biomechanics, and evolution!

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 go beyond the famous C. elegans connectome to explore how signal propagation doesn’t always follow the wires. Using powerful whole-brain calcium imaging combined with single-cell optogenetic activation, researchers mapped over 23,000 neuron pairings to build a functional atlas that rewrites parts of the worm’s wiring diagram.

We dive into:

How extrasynaptic neuropeptide signalling connects neurons outside synapses The discovery of functional connections invisible in the wiring diagram How C. elegans neural signals propagate both directly and indirectly The creation of a functional connectome that predicts spontaneous activity better than anatomy alone The surprising flexibility and plasticity of even simple nervous systems

📖 Based on the research article: “Neural signal propagation atlas of Caenorhabditis elegans” Francesco Randi, Anuj K. Sharma, Sophie Dvali & Andrew M. Leifer Published in Nature (2023). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06683-4

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism neuroscience that goes deeper than the wires!

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 travel back to one of the great origin stories in gene regulation: the discovery of lin-4, the first-ever microRNA. In Caenorhabditis elegans, scientists found that tiny non-coding RNAs could silence gene expression by pairing with target mRNAs — launching the entire field of microRNA biology. We explore: How lin-4 regulates developmental timing by repressing LIN-14 protein The discovery of small RNAs (22 and 61 nucleotides) as gene regulators The first evidence for RNA-RNA antisense interactions controlling translation Why this work reshaped our understanding of gene expression across species How a worm taught us that not all genes code for proteins 📖 Based on the research article: "The C. elegans Heterochronic Gene lin-4 Encodes Small RNAs with Antisense Complementarity to lin-14" Rosalind C. Lee, Rhonda L. Feinbaum & Victor Ambros. Published in Cell (1993). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/0092-8674(93)90529-Y 🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more whole-organism breakthroughs that reshaped biology!

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 ask: can a heartless worm model arrhythmia? Turns out — yes. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a stand-in for cardiac muscle, researchers tested the effects of polypyrrole nanoparticles (Ppy NPs) on pharyngeal pumping rhythms, revealing fascinating insights into how bioengineered materials might impact human-like tissues.

We explore:

How the worm pharynx mimics cardiac function Why mutants with sluggish pumps were rescued by Ppy NPs Long-lasting effects, even after the nanoparticles were expelled Calcium imaging showing altered Ca²⁺ dynamics in real time The power of C. elegans for safe-by-design nanomedicine screening

📖 Based on the research article: “Arrhythmic Effects Evaluated on Caenorhabditis elegans: The Case of Polypyrrole Nanoparticles” Sumithra Yasaswini Srinivasan, Pilar Alvarez Illera, Dmytro Kukhtar, et al. Published in ACS Nano (2023). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c05245

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more science where whole organisms meet high-tech innovation!

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 dive into a genetic mystery: how can a single gene in plant-parasitic nematodes have thousands of alleles? This study unravels the bizarre behaviour of HYP effectors — genes that help nematodes infect plants but defy traditional genetics.

Using CRISPR, long-read sequencing, and clever maths, the researchers reveal:

​How the HYP gene rearranges motifs in its hyper-variable domain (HVD) with flawless precision​That most nematodes appear homozygous, despite the population showing extreme diversity​A proposed mechanism called HVD editing — a form of locus-specific somatic genome editing​Why this mirrors the way our immune system reshuffles antibody genes

This isn’t just about plant pests — it’s a rare glimpse at real-time genome innovation, where diversity is generated with intent, not random chance.

📖 Based on the research article: “A gene with a thousand alleles: The hyper-variable effectors of plant-parasitic nematodes” Unnati Sonawala, Helen Beasley, Peter Thorpe, Kyriakos Varypatakis, Beatrice Senatori, John T. Jones, Lida Derevnina & Sebastian Eves-van den Akker Published in Cell Genomics (2024). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100580

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more strange and spectacular tales of genome biology.

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 rewind to one of biology’s biggest plot twists: RNA interference (RNAi). Scientists found that injecting double-stranded RNA into Caenorhabditis elegans could silence genes powerfully and precisely—far beyond anything single strands could achieve.

This game-changing discovery revealed:

How dsRNA triggers targeted gene shutdown Why only a few molecules can silence thousands of cells How gene silencing spreads across tissues The first clues toward RNA-based therapies that would change medicine forever

📖 Based on the research article: “Potent and specific genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Caenorhabditis elegans” Andrew Fire, SiQun Xu, Mary K. Montgomery, Steven A. Kostas, Samuel E. Driver & Craig C. Mello. Published in Nature (1998). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1038/35888

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more whole-organism stories that changed the world!

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 uncover how Caenorhabditis elegans males pick the right mate — by literally feeling for it! Researchers discovered that body stiffness, controlled by special furrow collagens, acts as a key mechanical cue for contact-mediated mate recognition.

We discuss:

How males detect species, sex, and reproductive stage through touch Why body stiffness and surface signals must work together for successful mating Experiments using ruptured worms, chemical treatments, and even 3D-printed bionic worms to test mechanical cues Why mating is not just about scent or sight — it’s about how a partner feels

📖 Based on the research article: “Body stiffness is a mechanical property that facilitates contact-mediated mate recognition in Caenorhabditis elegans” Jen-Wei Weng, Heenam Park, Claire Valotteau, Nathalie Pujol, Paul W. Sternberg & Chun-Hao Chen. Published in Current Biology (2023). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.020

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more quirky stories at the crossroads of mechanics, behaviour, and evolution!

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]

How does a tiny worm coordinate complex escape behaviour? In this episode, we dive into how the neurotransmitter tyramine triggers rapid, coordinated escape in Caenorhabditis elegans. Researchers uncovered that tyramine activates a newly discovered tyramine-gated chloride channel, LGC-55, which suppresses head movements and promotes sustained backward locomotion after anterior touch.

We explore:

How tyramine acts as a classical inhibitory neurotransmitter in C. elegans The critical role of LGC-55 in controlling head movement and reversal length during escapes Why tyramine’s control of multiple motor outputs is vital to escaping predatory fungi How tyramine reshapes neural network dynamics to bias the worm toward rapid retreat

📖 Based on the research article: “A Tyramine-Gated Chloride Channel Coordinates Distinct Motor Programs of a Caenorhabditis elegans Escape Response” Jennifer K. Pirri, Adam D. McPherson, Jamie L. Donnelly, Michael M. Francis & Mark J. Alkema. Published in Neuron (2009). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2009.04.013

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more on neuromodulation, escape circuits, and whole-organism behaviour!

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]

Why don’t fast-growing worms end up giants and slow ones stay tiny? In this episode, we explore how Caenorhabditis elegans uses a clever trick: coupling growth rate with developmental speed to keep body sizes uniform.

Live imaging reveals that worms with faster growth develop quicker, while slower growers take their time — cancelling out size differences. Instead of strict size checkpoints (like many cells use), C. elegans uses a “folder” strategy, fine-tuned by an internal genetic oscillator.

We cover:

Why worms don’t follow traditional “adder” or “sizer” models How growth and development are linked by a biological clock How tweaking this oscillator shifts final body size Why this simple coupling helps worms beat random size divergence

📖 Based on the research article: “Coupling of growth rate and developmental tempo reduces body size heterogeneity in C. elegans” Klement Stojanovski, Helge Großhans & Benjamin D. Towbin. Published in Nature Communications (2022). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29720-8

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more stories where physics, biology, and evolution collide!

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 a real-world predator–prey arms race: how Caenorhabditis elegans uses its anterior touch response to escape predacious fungi. Species like Drechslerella doedycoides use constricting hyphal rings to trap nematodes in soil. But thanks to mechanosensory neurons and fast reflexes, C. elegans larvae can sense the noose and back out — if they’re fast enough.

We dive into:

The mechanics of fungal ring traps and the escape window before closure How C. elegans suppresses head movement and reverses direction to evade capture Why touch-insensitive and tyramine signalling mutants get caught more often How coordination of motor programmes evolved under selective pressure from fungal predators

📖 Based on the research article: “The C. elegans Touch Response Facilitates Escape from Predacious Fungi” Sean M. Maguire, Christopher M. Clark, Jennifer K. Pirri, Mark J. Alkema. Published in Current Biology (2011). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.06.063

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more whole-organism insights at the edge of neuroethology, evolution, and behaviour.

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]

How do predatory nematodes avoid cannibalising their own offspring? In this episode, we explore a remarkable study that uncovers a peptide-based self-recognition system in Pristionchus pacificus. This system hinges on a single hypervariable peptide, SELF-1, which allows individuals to distinguish between kin and non-kin—preventing self-killing but enabling predation on rivals.

We discuss:

The discovery and characterisation of the self-1 gene How a single amino acid change can disrupt recognition The role of hypervariable C-terminal sequences in defining identity CRISPR-Cas9 experiments to map and manipulate self-recognition Why this system may represent a new form of species- and strain-specific recognition in the animal kingdom

📖 Based on the research article: “Small peptide–mediated self-recognition prevents cannibalism in predatory nematodes” James W. Lightfoot, Martin Wilecki, Christian Rödelsperger, et al. Published in Science (2019). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aav9856

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more on whole-organism behaviour, evolution, and molecular mechanisms of identity. 🔗 www.veerenchauhan.com

How does a nematode’s feeding strategy shape its gut biology and disease resistance? In this episode, we explore a comparative gut transcriptomics study of Caenorhabditis elegans and Pristionchus pacificus that reveals how changes in anatomy and lifestyle have led to major shifts in gene expression and pathogen susceptibility.

We discuss:

Why P. pacificus lacks the grinder structure and how this changes its digestion What makes their intestinal gene expression profiles so divergent, despite being close relatives The role of Hedgehog signalling and lineage-specific genes in intestinal development Surprising findings on gut pH stability despite transcriptomic divergence How these factors shape resistance to pathogens and environmental adaptation

📖 Based on the research article: “Comparative transcriptomics of the nematode gut identifies global shifts in feeding mode and pathogen susceptibility” James W. Lightfoot, Veeren M. Chauhan, Jonathan W. Aylott & Christian Rödelsperger. Published in BMC Research Notes (2016). 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-1886-9

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more on nematode evolution, gut biology, and systems-level research.

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 the next generation of polymeric drug carriers, made from sustainably sourced glycerol and diglycerol. Researchers are replacing traditional PEGylated polymers with innovative glycerol-based polyesters and copolyesters that are biodegradable, biocompatible, and free from PEG-related immunogenic risks.

We cover four recent studies investigating how changes to the polymer backbone—like adding hydrophobic diols or tweaking amphiphilicity—dramatically affect nanoparticle formation, drug encapsulation, and in vivo performance.

🔍 Key Topics Covered: • The rise of poly(glycerol adipate) (PGA) and poly(diglycerol adipate) (PDGA) as eco-friendly drug carriers • How backbone modifications (adding 1,6-hexanediol or altering hydrophilicity) fine-tune nanoparticle properties • Chitosan-based nanoparticles for delivering sodium usnate in osteosarcoma therapy, combining drug delivery with cancer suppression • Advanced stability, encapsulation, and whole-organism (Caenorhabditis elegans) biocompatibility testing of these smart polymers • Why these next-generation biodegradable polyesters could replace PEG in future medicines

📖 Based on 4 Research Articles: 1. Poly (diglycerol adipate) variants as enhanced nanocarrier replacements in drug delivery applications – Jacob et al., 2023  2. Glycerol- and diglycerol-based polyesters: Evaluation of backbone alterations upon nano-formulation performance – Axioti et al., 2024  3. Self-assembled chitosan-sodium usnate drug delivery nanosystems: Synthesis, characterisation, stability, cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility against 143B cells – Brugnoli et al., 2023  4. Glycerol-Based Copolyesters as Polymeric Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery – D’Anna et al., 2025 

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more discoveries at the interface of polymer science, drug delivery, and whole-organism research!

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]

Tracking drug delivery inside cells is a challenge when the drug carrier itself is invisible. In this episode, we discuss a breakthrough in polymer science: the creation of fluorescent poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles using a one-step, solvent-free dye-initiated polymerisation process. By covalently attaching dyes (blue, green, or red) to every PLGA chain, these nanoparticles become intrinsically fluorescent—meaning their position can be accurately tracked inside cells and tissues, without the risk of dye leakage. This study shows how these fluorescent PLGA nanoparticles behave in: Human THP-1 macrophages, where they were tracked using super-resolution microscopy.Live Caenorhabditis elegans, where their journey through the digestive tract was mapped.Drug delivery experiments, where the release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin was simultaneously tracked alongside the polymer carrier.This innovation offers a powerful new tool for researchers studying drug delivery, vaccine carriers, and polymer biodistribution. 📖 Based on the research article:"Facile Dye-Initiated Polymerization of Lactide–Glycolide Generates Highly Fluorescent Poly(lactic-co-glycolic Acid) for Enhanced Characterization of Cellular Delivery"Mohammad A. Al-Natour, Mohamed D. Yousif, Robert Cavanagh, Amjad Abouselo, Edward A. Apebende, Amir Ghaemmaghami, Dong-Hyun Kim, Jonathan W. Aylott, Vincenzo Taresco, Veeren M. Chauhan & Cameron Alexander. Published in ACS Macro Letters (2020).🔗 Read the full paper 🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more discoveries at the interface of polymers, drug delivery, and whole-organism research! 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]

Can a normally bacteria-feeding nematode become a blood-feeder? In this episode, we dive into the surprising world of haematophagic Caenorhabditis elegans — worms that can consume human blood. This research explores how feeding C. elegans a diet of erythrocytes (red blood cells) could help accelerate vaccine development for parasitic infections like hookworm disease.

By studying the enzymes used by these worms to digest haemoglobin and detoxify haem, scientists are unlocking new ways to test anti-parasite vaccines — all without needing live hookworms.

🔍 Key Topics Covered: • How C. elegans can ingest and survive on a diet of human blood • Using fluorescently labelled red blood cells to track feeding behaviour • Comparing digestive enzymes of C. elegans to those of Necator americanus, a major human parasite • Why this breakthrough could help identify and test new vaccine candidates

📖 Based on the research article: “Haematophagic Caenorhabditis elegans” Veeren M. Chauhan & David I. Pritchard. Published in Parasitology (2019). 🔗 Read it here: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182018001518

Join us to discover how turning a free-living nematode into a blood-feeder could reshape vaccine research for parasitic diseases!

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more surprising stories at the intersection of parasitology, biotechnology, and innovation.

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]

How does a tiny hookworm outsmart the human immune system? In this episode, we explore the physicochemical fingerprint of Necator americanus, a parasite that infects millions worldwide. Using cutting-edge techniques like atomic force microscopy (AFM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), researchers reveal how the hookworm’s sheath and cuticle surfaces play a crucial role in immune evasion and infection.

🔍 Key Topics Covered: • The unique surface properties of N. americanus at the infective L3 stage • How the hookworm’s sheath diverts immune defences, aiding reinfection • The role of nano-annuli in enhancing adhesion and survival • How surface chemistry, including heparan sulphate and phosphatidylglycerol, influences parasite migration

📖 Based on the research article: “The Physicochemical Fingerprint of Necator americanus”** Veeren M. Chauhan, David J. Scurr, Thomas Christie, Gary Telford, Jonathan W. Aylott, David I. Pritchard. Published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (2017). 🔗 Read it here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005971

Join us as we discuss how surface biochemistry influences parasite survival, reinfection, and potential future treatments!

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more deep dives into cutting-edge parasitology research!

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]

Did you know that digestion in C. elegans follows a rhythmic pH cycle? In this episode, we explore how magic nanosensors uncover real-time intestinal pH oscillations inside these tiny nematodes. By mapping the gut’s acidic landscape, researchers reveal how proton pumps, digestion, and metabolism work together in a synchronised chemical dance—offering new insights for biomedicine and drug discovery.

🔍 Key Topics Covered: • How pH-sensitive nanosensors track acidity in living organisms • The real-time pH oscillations inside the C. elegans gut • The role of proton pumps and metabolism in digestion • How this discovery could impact gut health and biomedical research

📖 Based on the research article: “Mapping the Pharyngeal and Intestinal pH of Caenorhabditis elegans and Real-Time Luminal pH Oscillations Using Extended Dynamic Range pH-Sensitive Nanosensors” Veeren M. Chauhan, Gianni Orsi, Alan Brown, David I. Pritchard, Jonathan W. Aylott. Published in ACS Nano (2013). 🔗 Read it here: https://doi.org/10.1021/nn401856u

Join us as we uncover how pH-shifting nanosensors are revolutionising our understanding of digestion and metabolism!

🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more deep dives into frontier 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]