We published WorMe: a new tool for measuring C.elegans

NN researchers Josep Llobet Lladó, Núria Garriga-Alonso, Amanda Muñoz-Juan, and Anna Laromaine have just published a paper introducing WorMe, a software tool that measures the length of Caenorhabditis elegans in compound microscopy images. Unlike most existing programs, which are designed for stereomicroscope images, WorMe offers a flexible solution that can handle different image types and analyse multiple images simultaneously.

The software allows researchers to review and correct measurements, separate overlapping worms, and manually add new ones. Results are exported in a spreadsheet linked to the original images, and graphical data can also be generated, making WorMe a practical and user-friendly tool for studies on nematode development and health.

Title

WorMe: A user-oriented software for Caenorhabditis elegans length determination

DOI: 10.21105/joss.09221

Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans is a widely used animal model for biomedical research. The length of this nematode is commonly used to assess its development and its health. Typically, measurements are performed manually; however, software has been developed to automate this process. Most of these tools are designed for stereomicroscope images, and none work reliably for compound microscopy images. Here we present WorMe, a user-friendly software that measures C. elegans length in compound microscopy images. The program is versatile in handling various image types and can analyze multiple images collectively. Furthermore, the user can accept or discard the detected objects, separate joined worms, correct erroneous measurements, and manually add new worms. The length results are presented in a spreadsheet file, with each measurement linked to its image. Graphic data can also be exported.