Worming Our Way Through Time: How Animals Sense Time Within and Across Generations

How do animals perceive time, both in the moment and across generations?

Research with the tiny worm C. elegans is offering surprising insights. With every brain cell and connection mapped—and many genes and molecules shared with humans—these transparent worms serve as a powerful model for understanding how living beings sense and respond to time. MIT postdoctoral researcher Eugene Lee will discuss how training worms to remember specific timing patterns not only shapes their own behavior but also sends signals that influence the health and behavior of their offspring. The talk will feature live specimens of C. elegans, giving audiences the opportunity to observe these remarkable creatures under a microscope and see how much can be learned from their behavior.

This program is free with Museum admission. While walk-ins are welcome, advance registration is recommended to reserve a spot.