Light Spot-Based Assay for Analysis of Drosophila Larval Phototaxis

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere60235
Journal / PublicationJournal of Visualized Experiments
Issue number151
Online published27 Sept 2019
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

The larvae of Drosophila melanogaster show obvious light-avoiding behavior during the foraging stage. Drosophila larval phototaxis can be used as a model to study animal avoidance behavior. This protocol introduces a light-spot assay to investigate larval phototactic behavior. The experimental set-up includes two main parts: a visual stimulation system that generates the light spot, and an infrared light-based imaging system that records the process of larval light avoidance. This assay allows tracking of the behavior of larva before entering, during encountering, and after leaving the light spot. Details of larval movement including deceleration, pause, head casting, and turning can be captured and analyzed using this method.

Research Area(s)

  • Biology, Drosophila, Issue 151, Larva, Light spot assay, Phototaxis, Video recording, Visual system

Citation Format(s)

Light Spot-Based Assay for Analysis of Drosophila Larval Phototaxis. / Sun, Yixuan; Zhou, Peipei; Zhao, Qianhui et al.
In: Journal of Visualized Experiments, No. 151, e60235, 09.2019.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review