Effects of various <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> and <i>B</i>. <i>subtilis</i> strains on longevity.

<p>(A) Worms fed on wild type <i>B</i>. <i>subtilis</i> strain (PY79) live 65% longer compared to wild type, standard laboratory food <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> strain (OP50). (B) Worms fed on RNase III-null <i>B</i>. <i>subtilis</i> (BG322) strain live 55% longer compared to DE3, <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> strain used for expressing stable dsRNA for RNA interference. Median survival on: OP50 = 21 days, PY79 = 35 days DE3 = 18 days, BG322 = 28 days. Age refers to days of adulthood. Three biological replicates were observed for each experiment (n = 70–80 worms per experiment); error bars indicate Standard Error. In both graphs p < 0.0001.