N2

N2 is the classic Bristol wild type strain of Caenorhabditis elegans, the laboratory nematode that became a standard model for genetics, development, neurobiology, and aging studies. It is not a breed in the pet or livestock sense; it is a reference strain with a long research history. Many mutant, transgenic, and mapping lines are compared against N2 or maintained on an N2-derived background.

N2 cultures are usually managed on agar plates with bacterial food, steady temperature, and careful transfer schedules. Because C elegans can be easy to grow and easy to contaminate, practical stewardship depends on clean technique, accurate plate labels, and avoiding cross-contamination with other strains. For research or teaching, source and passage history help explain why one N2 culture may not behave exactly like another kept elsewhere.

Colors: Wild Type