3. Hardware setup

Set up the FlyPad basestation, arena modules and bench, and check every sensor before the first experiment.

3. Hardware setup

What is in the system

Part Description
FlyPad basestation (Feeding Multiplexor) Reads up to 12 arena modules and connects to the PC by USB
Arena modules 4 fly chambers each, with 2 food sensors per chamber and sliding transparent lids
USB cable Basestation to PC
OptoPad (optional) LED module(s) and LED controller(s) with USB cables

Also needed:

  • a heat block to warm agarose-based food at 70 °C
  • a repeating pipette and tips (for best results, the Eppendorf Multipette with 50 µL tips)
  • a fly aspirator
  • 1–2 mL tubes with food aliquots
  • an incubator for fly rearing (25 °C, 70 % RH, 12 h light/dark)

Bench and environment

  • Use a level bench. Levelling matters: an uneven arena can bias the choice between the left and right food.
  • Run experiments at 25 °C and 70 % relative humidity. Low humidity dries the food during the assay.
  • Keep the arenas in darkness or dim, controlled light during recordings. Light bleeding onto one side can bias choice.
  • Keep phones and other strong electrical noise sources away from the arenas.
  • Most importantly, make sure that the arenas are not touching each other.

Assembly

  1. Mount each arena module on its sensor board so the contacts sit flush.
  2. Connect the arena modules to the basestation.
  3. Connect the basestation to the PC with the USB cable.
  4. For optogenetics, connect each OptoPad controller to the PC by USB and place the LED modules over the arenas. See OptoPad.

First check: are all sensors working?

Before your first experiment, and whenever you change the setup, do a short test recording:

  1. Start FlyPad Acquisition. On Acquire, click Connect, then Start acquisition.
  2. Empty arenas: every channel should show a steady trace, flat apart from small noise. A missing trace, or one stuck at the top or bottom of its cell, points to a connection problem.
  3. With food: load 1 % agarose in distilled water into the wells and watch the live view. Touching the food lightly (or a fly feeding) should give clear steps on that channel.
  4. A whole row (one module, P1–P12) that stays flat usually means the module or its cable is loose.

Live view with the Acquire controls