Setting up the Imaging Apparatus for C. elegans Lawn Avoidance Assay

To set up the imaging apparatus, use a smartphone with a minimum specification of 12 megapixel camera 1080 pixel resolution, five gigabyte storage space, in a timeLapse video app from the application store. Place the LED light box on the bottom rack of an incubator set at 25 degrees Celsius where the assay will take place. To hide the dotted pattern on the LED light surface, spread two sheets of tissues to cover the entire surface of the LED box.

Make an elevated stage for the specimen comprising of a clear plastic sheet supported by hollow rectangular tunnels. Ensure that the tunnel's walls are somewhat dark to minimize light scatter. Place another rack above the stage to place the phones for recording.

Each phone will record three to six plates, so adjust the rack height accordingly. Put a power strip inside the incubator to plug in the phones during overnight recording. To prepare for the recording, plug in the smartphone to the power strip connected to a power outlet.

Ensure to disable the auto lock setting to prevent the phone from returning to the lock screen while recording. Open the timelapse camera app, and set the video quality to 1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. Set the timelapse interval to two seconds.

Place the smartphone with the screen facing up to record with the back camera and ensure that the paper box tunnels fit within the field of view.