Advisor: Paul ThompsonClient: Jerry Yin

Testing Memory and Learning in Fruit Flies Design Requirements Previous Apparatus Potential Improvements Alternative Designs Design Matrix Testing and Future Work

Testing learning and memory in fruit flies Training

◦ Two odors are presented to flies One coupled with electric shock

Testing◦ Flies choose between two odors

Multiple training sessions

Create olfactory device that accurately tests the learning ability of fruit flies

Specifications◦ Data of similar or better accuracy

◦ Monitored air pressure

◦ Consistent electric shocking mechanism

◦ Diameter of testing/training tubes are 5/8 inch

How it works Pros:

◦ Quantitative results that support hypotheses Cons:

◦ Varying air pressure◦ Complex operations◦ Inconsistent electric shock

Improving Current Design◦ Modify existing apparatus

Pros:◦ Pushing odor through eliminates resistance

problem◦ Simplify tubes with valves◦ Etched electric grid

Cons:◦ Procedure remains complex

Solid Lexan Block◦ Sliding doors return flies to choice point

Pros:◦ Training location is also

testing area◦ Very durable

Cons:◦ No feasible way to incorporate shocking

mechanism

Cylindrical Selector◦ Two-level system with multiple valves to dispense

air and odor

Pros◦ Provides real time monitoring of the

flies’ decision making◦ Achieves different and possibly

more meaningful data Cons

◦ Feasibility

Criteria Possible Designs

Considerations Weight Improve Current Device

Solid Lexan Block

Cylindrical Selector

Safety 5 5 5 5

Ease of Use/Ergonomics

20 10 12 15

Feasibility 35 32 20 12

Cost 5 5 4 2

Accuracy 25 22 22 25

Durability 10 8 10 6

Total 100 82 73 65

Testing odor diffusion and mixing◦ Use of smoke

Modification of diffusion holes

Simplifying testing and training tubes

Incorporating valves and multiple pumps

Final testing and data analysis

Jerry Yin, Ph.D. Professor of genetics and psychiatry

Paul Thompson, Ph.D. Advisor

Jason Gerstner, Postdoctoral Researcher

Michael Fasano Jr., 4M Instrument & Tool LLC President

Questions?