How to get physiologically relevant data with students using Lumbriculus variegatus

The decline of in vivo teaching in higher education has resulted in graduates lacking essential experimental skills. To address this gap, we present an easy and cost-effective practical class using the emerging invertebrate model organism, Lumbriculus variegatus, as an additional in vivo model for education. This practical class enables students to observe the effects of pharmacologically active compounds on the stereotypical behaviours of body reversal and helical swimming in L. variegatus through tactile stimulation. During this class, students will conduct drug dilution calculations, administer test compounds, and conduct an in vivo behavioural experiment. Results from this class demonstrate drug effects in vivo and enable students to observe reversible or irreversible behavioural effects, depending on the compound tested. This class demonstrates L. variegatus as a model for hands-on in vivo teaching, providing students with critical laboratory experience without the need for vertebrate or higher-order mammal models. Furthermore, the approach outlined here is scalable and an adaptable teaching methodology that enhances student engagement with in vivo teaching without costly equipment or complex animal husbandry.