Caenorhabditis

Caenorhabditis is a genus of tiny, transparent roundworms commonly used in scientific research. The most well-known species, Caenorhabditis elegans, is valuable for studying development, genetics, and aging because of its simple body plan, rapid lifecycle, and well-mapped nervous system. These nematodes naturally live in soil and feed on bacteria, making them easy to cultivate in laboratories. As a model organism, Caenorhabditis provides insights into fundamental biological processes relevant to higher organisms, including humans, helping scientists understand health, disease, and genetics.