Common Name: Nematode Worm
Latin name: Caenorhabditis elegans
Origin: Bristol, UK
Range: Europe, Western USA
Developmental time: 3-4 days
Lifespan: 20 days
% of genes shared with humans:
Noble Prizes:
•Programmed cell death, 2002
•RNA interference, 2006.
•Green Fluorescent Protein, 2008
Fruit Fly
Latin name: Drosophila melanogaster
Origin: sub-sahara Africa
Range: World-wide
Developmental time: 10 days
Lifespan: 70 – 90 days
% of genes shared with humans:
Noble Prizes:
•Chromosomes contain genes, 1933
•X-rays produce DNA mutations, 1946
•Genetic control of early development, 1995
•Activation of innate immunity, 2011
•Circadian Rhythms, 2017
Common Name: African clawed frog
Latin name: Xenopus laevis
Origin: Congo river basin, Africa
Range: Southern Africa
Developmental time: 6 – 8 weeks
Lifespan: 5 years
% of genes shared with humans:
Noble Prizes:
•Cloning, 2012