Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our automated behavioral equipment, from ordering to technical details.
Products & Ordering
What is the flyPAD?
The flyPAD (fly Proboscis and Activity Detector) is a capacitance-based automated feeding monitor for Drosophila. It detects individual feeding events (sips) at 100 Hz, allowing you to measure food intake, food preference, and feeding microstructure automatically across 96 channels per unit.
How do I order Easy Behavior equipment?
Request a quote through our online form. We typically respond within 1 business day with pricing and delivery information tailored to your lab's needs.
What is included with a flyPAD system?
A standard flyPAD system includes the hardware unit with electrode arenas, a data acquisition controller, electrodes, cables, and the Bonsai software package for data collection and analysis. Setup guidance and training are also included.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide from our base in Lisbon, Portugal. We have experience shipping to labs across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond.
What software do I need to run flyPAD?
flyPAD uses the Bonsai visual programming framework, which is completely free and open-source. Bonsai runs on Windows and provides a graphical interface for data acquisition, real-time visualization, and experiment control.
Technical
How many flies can I measure at once?
Each flyPAD unit measures 96 flies simultaneously. By running several systems in parallel, you can scale up to several hundreds of flies simultaneously for high-throughput screening.
What sampling rate does flyPAD use?
flyPAD samples at 100 Hz (100 measurements per second per channel), providing high temporal resolution to detect individual sips and analyze feeding microstructure.
Can flyPAD measure both solid and liquid food?
Yes. The capacitance-based detection works with both solid and liquid food substrates, making flyPAD versatile for a wide range of feeding assay designs.
What is the optoPAD?
The optoPAD is a closed-loop optogenetics extension for the flyPAD platform. It allows you to deliver light stimulation to genetically targeted neurons in real time, triggered by the fly's own feeding behavior. Published in eLife (2019).
Can I use flyPAD with insects other than Drosophila?
Yes. We have validated designs adapted for mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, published in Scientific Reports), ants, and bees. Contact us to discuss custom adaptations for your species of interest.
Research & Validation
Is the flyPAD peer-reviewed?
Yes. The flyPAD was published in Nature Communications in 2014 and has been cited in more than 200 papers. The optoPAD extension was published in eLife in 2019. Multiple independent labs have validated the technology in their own publications.
How many labs use flyPAD?
Over 200 research labs worldwide use flyPAD and related Easy Behavior products for their behavioral experiments.
Can I see example data before purchasing?
Yes. Contact us to request example datasets from flyPAD experiments. We can also arrange a demo or connect you with labs currently using the system.
What publications have used flyPAD?
flyPAD has been used in studies published in Nature Communications, eLife, PLoS Biology, Cell, Scientific Reports, and many other journals. Visit our Publications page for a curated list.
Support
Do you provide training?
Yes. Every flyPAD system comes with setup guidance and training to ensure your lab is collecting data quickly. We offer remote training sessions and comprehensive documentation.
What warranty do you offer?
Contact us for detailed warranty information. We stand behind the quality of our equipment and provide ongoing support for all products.
How do I get technical support?
You can reach us by email or through our contact form. We also provide access to documentation and the Bonsai community forum for software-related questions.
Still have questions?
We are happy to help. Reach out and we will get back to you within 1 business day.