Chapter 16 - Force-controlled robotic systems for mechanical stimulation of Drosophila larvae

Abstract

As a popular model organism, Drosophila larva has been widely used in studying sensory mechanotransduction and the neural basis of behavior. Examining how mechanical signals are sensed and processed by the neural system of such a multicellular model organism could reveal unknown neural mechanisms responsible for certain behaviors of the animal in response to external mechanical stimulation. Conventionally, mechanical stimulation experiments on Drosophila larvae are performed manually with limited accuracy and throughput, which does not allow the quantification of neural signal transmission through fluorescence imaging. To this end, we have developed force-controlled robotic systems, integrating microdevices, force sensors, and advanced force control laws for mechanical stimulation and neuron calcium imaging on single Drosophila larvae. Comparing to the manual manipulation methods, these systems provide higher accuracy, higher efficiency, and better operation consistency. In this chapter, we will review our previous studies along this direction and highlight the major features of our robotic systems that are particularly suitable for the mechanical stimulation of Drosophila larvae.