Aging is characterized by progressive declines in cellular function, leading to reductions in mobility, muscle degeneration, and shortened lifespan. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway plays a critical role in regulating aging processes, with DAF-2 functioning as a key receptor. This study investigated the impact of DAF-2 knockdown via RNAi on lifespan, locomotion, and muscle degeneration in C. elegans. Key achievements included the successful growth and maintenance of synchronized worm colonies and the optimization of FUdR concentrations to ensure non-lethal conditions. It is hypothesized that DAF-2 knockdown will extend lifespan, improve locomotion in early stages of aging, and mitigate muscle degeneration. Although time constraints limited the scope of experimental results, these efforts provide a foundation for future studies to enhance replicates, complete planned assays, and validate RNAi efficacy. These findings are expected to contribute to understanding the role of DAF-2 signaling in aging and muscle integrity, providing a foundation for further exploration of age-related biological mechanisms.
