This report describes a method for measuring Drosophila larval activity using the TriKinetics Drosophila Activity Monitor. The device employs infrared beams to detect movements of up to 16 individual animals. Data can be analyzed to represent motion parameters including rates and the positions of the animals within the assay chambers.
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Method Article
Measurement of Larval Activity in the Drosophila Activity Monitor
In This Article
Summary
Abstract
Drosophila larvae are used in many behavioral studies, yet a simple device for measuring basic parameters of larval activity has not been available. This protocol repurposes an instrument often used to measure adult activity, the TriKinetics Drosophila activity monitor (MB5 Multi-Beam Activity Monitor) to study larval activity. The instrument can monitor the movements of animals in 16 individual 8 cm glass assay tubes, using 17 infrared detection beams per tube. Logging software automatically saves data to a computer, recording parameters such as number of moves, times sensors were triggered, and animals’ positions within the tubes. The data can then be analyzed to represent overall locomotion and/or position preference as well as other measurements. All data are easily accessible and compatible with basic graphing and data manipulation software. This protocol will discuss how to use the apparatus, how to operate the software and how to run a larval activity assay from start to finish.
Introduction
The use of Drosophila as a genetic tool has transformed scientific knowledge of biological systems. Drosophila larvae have been used in a variety of studies including nociception1, development2 and as a model for the study of human disease genes3. Drosophila activity encompasses a range of behaviors that vary under different conditions including temperatures2, exposure to drugs4 and amongst different genotypes. Yet, despite the significant use of the larva as a model organism, a simple, standardized method to analyze larval activity has not been available. Presently, many larval locomoti....
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Protocol
1. Preparation of Larvae
- To analyze a desired larva for locomotion or position preference, grow larvae under standard conditions to the desired age to assay10 using standard fly food11.
- Make a mesh filter by stretching silk-screen grade nylon mesh over a funnel. Secure the mesh at the funnel neck with rubber band. Place the funnel in a beaker.
- To collect larvae for analysis, scoop a spatula-full of food containing foraging larvae from the culture bottle and wash with RT tap water over the mesh filter, collecting individual larvae directly from the mesh with a paintbrush10.
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Results
Figure 1 shows the results from a temperature response study of control third instar larvae, w1118, using the monitoring device to detect differences in larval locomotion at seven different temperatures. Larvae were washed and placed into the DAM activity device as described above, and placed in an incubator set to the desired temperature. The apparatus was then allowed to acclimate to the environment for 5 min before recording began. Each larva was individually analyzed for locomotion over a .......
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Discussion
Activity of Drosophila larvae is influenced by a variety of factors including genotype8, age13 and ambient temperature2. Although powerful videographic methods capable of highly detailed analysis have been developed by those who study locomotion5, this level of detail may be superfluous for those who wish to determine basic parameters of activity. The method described here employs a device that is available in many laboratories, is easy to operate, generates highly rep.......
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Disclosures
The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by NIH P20GM103643 to I. Meng.
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Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drosophila Activity Monitor, Multibeam, 16 tubes, including wires | TriKinetics Inc. | MB5 | |
| Power Supply Interface for Activity Monitor | TriKinetics Inc. | PSIU24 | |
| Glass 80 x 5 mm tubes for Activity Monitor (100) | TriKinetics Inc. | PGT 5x80 | |
| DAMsystemMB1v6x Data Acquisitions Software for Macintonsh OSX (Intel) | www.trikinetics.com | free download | |
| DAMFileScan 108x software for Macintosh | www.trikinetics.com | free download | |
| USB software (PSIUdrivers.zip). | www.trikinetics.com | free download | |
| DAMSystem Notes 308 | www.trikinetics.com | free download | |
| Zeiss Stemi 2000C- Stereo Microscope | Spectra Services | SP-STEMI2000C-BS | |
| Carbon Dioxide | Maine Oxy | anaesthesia | |
| Fly Pad | Genesee | 59-114 | surface for sorting anaesthetized flies |
| Small paint brush | Winsor & Newton | #2 ROUND | or similar, used for sorting anaesthetized flies |
| Silk Screen Printing Mesh (160) | msj-gallery.com | SM160W63-3YD | pore sized used in this protocol was ~ 0.1 mm |
| Tegosept | Genesee | 20-258 | preservative |
| Ethanol (190proof) | Pharmco | 111000190 | used to dissolve Tegosept |
| 6 oz Square Bottom Bottle (PP) | Genesee | 32-130 | |
| "Flugs" for Plastic Fly bottles | Genesee | 49-100 | |
| Drosophila Vials, Wide (PS) | Genesee | 32-117 | |
| Flugs for wide plastic vials | Genesee | 49-101 | |
| Yellow Degerminated Corn Meal | Gold Medal | ||
| Drosophila agar | LabScientific | FLY 8020 | |
| Baker's Yeast - Red Star | King Arthur Flour | 1270 | |
| Granulated Sugar - Extra Fine | Domino |
References
- Tracey, W. D. Jr, Wilson, R. I., Laurent, G., Benzer, S. painless, a Drosophila.gene essential for nociception. Cell. 113, 261-273 (2003).
- Ainsley, J. A., Kim, M. J., Wegman, L. J., Pettus, J. M., Johnson, W. A. Sensory mechan....
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