C. elegans Nematode Worm Tie Bar

Caenorhabiditis elegans, or C. elegans as it is often called, is a non-parasitic nematode worm that is used extensively by biologists as a model organism. Not only was this the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced, but its "connectome," the map of all of its neural connections, has also been deciphered. This worm has been the subject of many neurobiological studies, including a project in the zero gravity environment of the International Space Station to gain insight into the genetic basis of muscle atrophy.

The C. elegans tie clip model depicts mating between the hermaphroditic worm (the larger one) and the male worm (the smaller one).

The tie bar is 4.3 cm (1.7 inches) long.