Method to transfer C. elegans from paper or plastic-based μPADs to an agar plate. The membranes are colored with a red food dye for visual ease. (a) The paper-based device having a worm population (i) is gently lowered onto the surface of the agar plate (ii). When the paper substrate is lifted upwards, its suspended agar membrane detaches and is left on the agar plate (iii). The worms are now free to migrate on the agar plate. (b) The Pluronic gel membranes containing worms (i) are lowered onto the agar plate. Once the contact is made, the suspended membranes rupture and the worms are transferred to the agar plate (ii). The plastic substrate is removed, and the worms are allowed to crawl over the agar plate (iii).