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c302

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c302 is OpenWorm's neural circuit modeling framework, implementing DD001 (Neural Circuit Architecture) and serving as the foundation for DD005-DD009, DD018-DD019.

What It Does

Generates NeuroML2 networks at multiple levels of biophysical detail:

Level Cell Type Synapses Use Case DD Reference
A Integrate-and-Fire Event-driven Topology testing only DD001 (Level A)
B IAF + Activity Event-driven Community extensions DD001 (Level B)
C HH conductance-based Event-driven Default working DD001 (Level C)
C1 HH + graded synapses Graded Recommended (Sibernetic coupling) DD001 (Level C1)
D Multicompartmental HH Event-driven Specialized studies DD001 (Level D)

Level C1 is the default — graded synapses match C. elegans biology (no action potentials) and enable coupling with Sibernetic body physics.

c302

Current Status (Phase 0)

Accepted and working:

  • 302-neuron network generation from Cook2019 connectome (DD020)
  • Multi-level framework (Levels A-D) with HH channels
  • Validated against Schafer lab kinematics (DD010 Tier 3)

Roadmap

Phase 1 (DD005): Cell-type specialization

  • Generate 128 distinct .cell.nml files (one per CeNGEN neuron class)
  • Calibrate conductances from expression-to-electrophysiology regression
  • Validate: Functional connectivity improves 20%+ vs. generic model

Phase 2 (DD006): Neuropeptide modulation

  • Add 31,479 peptide-receptor interactions (Ripoll-Sanchez 2023)
  • GPCR-mediated conductance modulation (seconds timescale)

Phase 3 (DD007, DD009, DD018): Organ circuits

  • Pharyngeal network (20 neurons + 20 muscles, 3-4 Hz pumping)
  • Intestinal network (20 cells with IP3R oscillator, 50s defecation)
  • Egg-laying network (2 HSN + 6 VC + 16 sex muscles, two-state pattern)

Repository

https://github.com/openworm/c302

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