1. Advisor: Paul Thompson Client: Jerry Yin

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

3.  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

4.  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

5.  How it works  Pros: ◦ Quantitative results that support hypotheses  Cons: ◦ Varying air pressure ◦ Complex operations ◦ Inconsistent electric shock

6.  Improving Current Design ◦ Modify existing apparatus  Pros: ◦ Pushing odor through eliminates resistance problem ◦ Simplify tubes with valves ◦ Etched electric grid  Cons: ◦ Procedure remains complex

7.  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

8.  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

9. CriteriaPossible Designs ConsiderationsWeightImprove Current Device Solid Lexan Block Cylindrical Selector Safety5555 Ease of Use/Ergonomics 20101215 Feasibility35322012 Cost5542 Accuracy2522 25 Durability108 6 Total100827365

10.  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

11.  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

12. Questions?