Why do C. elegans lay eggs only when food is around? In this episode, we explore a newly uncovered neuromodulatory circuit that links food detection to reproductive behaviour using a clever form of disinhibition. At the heart of this is the AVK interneuron — silenced by dopamine when food is present — which normally blocks egg-laying until conditions are right.We unpack:How AVK neurons act as gatekeepers for egg-laying behaviourDopamine from food-sensing neurons inhibits AVKs via DOP-3 receptorsAVKs release a cocktail of neuropeptides (PDF-1, NLP-10, NLP-21) that modulate downstream AIY neuronsFunctional imaging, CRISPR mutants, and optogenetics map the full food-to-egg pathwayHow this reveals general principles of neuromodulation and disinhibition📖 Based on the research article:“Food sensing controls C. elegans reproductive behavior by neuromodulatory disinhibition”Yen-Chih Chen, Kara E. Zang, Hassan Ahamed, Niels RingstadPublished in Science Advances (2025)🔗 https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adu5829🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more full-organism insights at the interface of environment, brain, and behaviour.🔗 www.veerenchauhan.com

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