The use of Caenorhabditis elegans to study host-pathogen interactions

The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans presents many advantages as a mode l system. Apart from the benefits of having access to its entire genome seq uence, C. elegans has recently emerged as a potentially useful tool for the study of host-pathogen interactions. This model has already contributed to a broader understanding of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis, and to rei nforcing the notion that common virulence mechanisms exist. In this paper, we will discuss these results and suggest that future research based on the C. elegans model may also contribute to a better understanding of conserve d mechanisms of host defence.